Character issues could drive Colorado's Jimmy Smith to the bottom of the first round. If the draft's third-ranked cornerback lasts that long, the Ravens are one of the teams who could handle Smith, according to NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock.
"Philly and Baltimore are two of the teams that draft in the 20s that both could use a big corner and both have locker rooms whose infrastructure may be able to handle a kid like that and get him on the right path," Mayock said Wednesday. "The kid has a lot of issues, man. Jimmy Smith has unlimited upside … however he comes with a buyer beware caution."
Smith had a positive drug test in 2007 and two arrests for possession of alcohol as a minor.
"Jimmy Smith fits in with the two of them [LSU's Patrick Peterson and Nebraska's Prince Amukamara] athletically and physically," Mayock said. "If he didn't have off-the-field issues, he'd be a potential top 10 pick. He's an athletic freak with length and speed. How far will he fall because of his off-the-field issues? At some point, somebody is going to take a chance on this kid."
The Ravens are looking for a cornerback with some size (Smith is 6 feet 2) and someone who can add depth. The team is returning Domonique Foxworth and Lardarius Webb, but last year's starters (Chris Carr and Josh Wilson) could become unrestricted free agents.
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