NFL Mock Draft 2015: Baltimore Ravens Select Jaelen Strong

Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State

Strong is from Philly. West Philly. Born and raised. Track & football was where he spent most of his days. Runnin’ ‘round lapping, long jumpin’ on fools, until he got scholarship offers from four schools.

Seriously. He grew up in West Philly and then moved to L.A. No Uncle Phil though, to my knowledge.

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Strong attended Los Angeles Pierce College where he was very productive, racking up 67 catches for +1,200 yards and 15 TDs in 10 games before transferring to Arizona State prior to the 2013 season.

He then carried his junior college performance to Tempe where he logged 75 receptions for +1,100 yards and 7 TDs in 14 games in his first season, followed by an even better 2014 outing which saw him improve to 82 receptions for roughly the same yardage, but for 10 TDs in 2 fewer games.

"Strong looks the part of a physical, possession receiver with a relatively high floor" – NFL.com Draft profile

At #26 there’s reason to like Strong going to the Ravens. He IS physical + tallish (6’2) + somewhat fast (4’4) + he had the second highest vert. for WRs at the Combine, behind Georgia’s Chris Conley who can jump over a standard USPS mailbox!

With a dearth of receiving options after notably losing Torrey Smith, TE Owen Daniels and, to a lesser extent, Jacoby Jones, all to free agency, Ozzie will be looking for a reliable possession receiver to pair with… Steve Smith Sr. No one’s standing on the table for Marlon Brown. Yet.

Of note, SSS DID have a decent 2014 outing with 79 receptions for 1,065 yards and 6 TDs.

Strong will not be a replacement for the speedy Torrey Smith, but he will make contested catches, create separation, power through tackles for bonus YACs, and maybe even make Joe Flacco feel more like the elite QB he thinks he is.

Lest I forget about his famed 2012-2013 playoff run. And that Brees has yet to beat him, but that’s all I’ll concede.

Strong has been compared to Anquan Boldin, and that’s pretty apt. Taller (2-4" depending on the source – apparently Strong moonlights as Apocalypse) and faster, however. I’d note though that Boldin is established for his tenacity and 3^rd down-conversion-obnoxiousness. Not that Strong doesn’t also have these traits but as these things go, predictions on translation and effectiveness of physicality at the next level factor in a jump in the size and physicality modern NFL DBs bring.

Not to despair though Ravens fans. SSS, Strong’s Carlton, will teach the young man that even standing at 5’9, NFL DBs can be whooped.

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