2011 NFL Draft Grades: Baltimore Ravens Strike Gold in Almost Every Round

Ravens End Up With Big Names In Several Rounds

Baltimore Ravens General Manager Ozzie Newsome knows what he is doing, which makes the selection of Jimmy Smith very interesting.

Smith has had some well-chronicled troubles prior to the NFL Draft process, but Newsome seems to believe all those troubles are behind him and was willing to draft him in the first round, the round his talents put him in.

In the second round, the Ravens took Torrey Smith. Torrey was one of the more exciting receivers in the draft, but Newsome's track record with wide receivers is the only black mark on his otherwise stellar draft resume.

The Ravens followed those two picks with tackle Jah Reid and receiver Tandon Doss. Anyone who followed the draft build up would be familiar with those names and know the Ravens are getting great value out of both of those picks.

MUST READ: Report Cards For The First Three Rounds

Then you add Pernell McPhee and Tyrod Taylor later in the draft, and it is just icing on the cake. McPhee is an under-the-radar defensive lineman who projects well in the NFL while Taylor can slide right in and possibly be a solid backup for Joe Flacco.

The Ravens continue to "get" the draft and have another good year.

Grade: A