2011 NFL Draft Results: Baltimore Ravens Select CB Jimmy Smith in Round 1

With the 26th overall selection of the 2011 NFL draft, or in actuality the 27th overall selection, the Baltimore Ravens selected Colorado cornerback Jimmy Smith.

After a confusing turn of events, Baltimore managed to land Smith, who had been tied to the Ravens in many mock drafts.

Smith is a top-10 to top-15 talent who fell in the draft due to character concerns. Smith is exactly the kind of cornerback the Ravens need, as he has an excellent build—6'2" and 205 lbs.—and plays a physical style of defense, excelling in man press coverage.

Smith's character concerns were disheartening to teams, some of whom even removed him from their draft boards. The Ravens shouldn't have too much concern over Smith's maturity issues, as the veteran leadership in the Ravens locker room should be able to help keep Smith on the right track.

The Ravens picked Smith with the 27th pick after a strange turn of events. The Ravens were on the clock when they got a call from the Chicago Bears, who wanted to trade up to the 26th pick from their spot at 29th overall.

With a few moments left on the clock, the trade still hadn't gone through. The Ravens' time on the clock essentially expired, and the Kansas City Chiefs jumped ahead of the Ravens to take WR Jonathan Baldwin.

The Bears' error in failing to confirm the trade cost the Ravens what would have been a fourth-round pick had the trade gone through. The Ravens still managed to land Smith at what was actually the 27th overall pick.

Regardless of how they managed to acquire Smith, the Ravens landed one of the best corners in the 2011 NFL draft. Smith has been compared to former Ravens corner Chris McAlister, who played at a high level for the Ravens for several years.

The Ravens made a great choice in drafting Jimmy Smith. In time, Smith may develop into the Ravens' next Chris McAlister, and hopefully he will be a shutdown corner who can play at a high level for a long time for the Ravens.