Baltimore Ravens Draft Countdown: Making the Case for Jaelen Strong

With three weeks remaining before the 2015 NFL draft, the Baltimore Ravens' biggest need has not changed this offseason.

The biggest need for Baltimore heading into free agency was at wide receiver, and it only became a bigger need with the departure of Torrey Smith. 

He left to sign with San Francisco in free agency, and he was the Ravens' top pass-catcher for the duration of his Ravens career. 

In four seasons, Smith caught 213 passes for 3,591 yards (16.9 yards per catch) and a franchise-record 30 touchdowns. That's gone now, and with it comes a big hole the Ravens need to fill early in this year's draft. 

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It also hurt that fellow receiver Jacoby Jones was cut this offseason. He caught 76 passes for 992 yards and three touchdowns over the past three seasons. With those two gone, Steve Smith Sr., Michael Campanaro, Kamar Aiken and Marlon Brown are the projected top four receivers. 

Smith caught 79 passes for 1,065 yards and six touchdowns this past season, but the latter three players combined for just 55 catches for 624 yards and four scores. Baltimore also won't be able to count on Smith for much longer, as he turns 36 in May, and 2015 could be his final NFL season.

With Baltimore holding the No. 26 pick in this year's draft, it could address that need with its first pick. This is a deep draft class for receivers, and there should be at least one quality prospect on the board when the Ravens make their first selection. 

Arizona State's Jaelen Strong is a guy Baltimore would be hitting a home run with if they were able to draft him. 

The 6'3", 215-pound Strong is a freakish athlete who gets open kin a variety of ways, even when he's well covered. His combination of speed, explosiveness and leaping ability allows him to sky over defenders for contested balls, and he's a great jump-ball target in the red zone. 

After starting his post-high school career in junior college, Strong committed to Arizona State in 2013 and for the past two seasons has been the best receiver in the Pac-12 conference. 

Over the past two years, Strong caught 157 passes for 2,287 yards and 17 scores. He topped 1,000 yards in both seasons, a feat that's hard to accomplish in a 12- or 13-game college season. 

Strong was already viewed in high regard coming into the offseason, but he boosted his stock at the scouting combine with a great showing. Strong recorded a 4.44-second 40-yard dash time to go with a ridiculous 42-inch vertical leap.

Again, that kind of speed and athleticism is what makes Strong so good. He translates that onto the football field so well in the way he plays the game.

NFL.com analyst Charles Davis has Strong going to the Baltimore Ravens at 26th overall, as does Sporting News' Eric Galko in his most recent mock. 

Here's an excerpt of Lance Zierlein's scouting report on NFL.com as to what makes Strong such a good prospect: 

"

Good combination of height, weight and arm length for the position. Former high school basketball player who knows how to keep defenders on his hip. Drives back to the ball from top of the route.

Adjusts routes in space. Developed nifty inside release to defeat press. Comfortable from slot, using varying route tempo for separation. Tracks ball well. Good strength in hands and makes contested catches. Decent leaper who will climb the ladder for a catch or sink and secure low throw.

Strong lower body and physical after catch. Sun Devils used him frequently on shallow crossers, bubble screens and hitches.

"

As Zierlein notes, Arizona State used Strong in a variety of ways through different types of routes. This allowed Strong to show he's a complete receiver and not some one-trick pony. 

Oh, and he has very impressive hands: 

Strong can beat you deep, across the middle of the field or for a contested jump ball. Strong is one of the most complete receivers in this draft, and he'll be a great addition to whichever team gets him. 

The Ravens should put all of their effort into getting Strong in the first round, whether it's trading up to get him or hoping he's there at pick No. 26. 

Either way, Strong would be one of the few instant-impact players Baltimore could get in the draft with such a deep roster. He should be high on their big board—if not on top—when their first-round pick is made.