Torrey Smith had a big year for the Terps, ranking among the best wide receivers in the Nation in many different statistical categories. Yet, until today, I hadn't seen him mentioned as a possible first round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Mel Kiper just released his first Mock Draft at ESPN, and he has Smith going 27th overall to the Atlanta Falcons. It's an insider article, so you'll have to take my word for it, but here is what he had to say about the pick.
Atlanta needs to develop a pass-catching target across from Roddy White, and Smith is a guy who can get downfield, work underneath and will always be a home run threat when he catches the ball. He also offers a serious threat in the return game. Atlanta doesn't have a lot of holes and Smith could help take this offense to another level as an explosive threat opposite White.
Smith could be one of those players, like Darius Heyward-Bey, who climbs up draft boards after the NFL Combine. If he is healthy, he should be able to put on a show in front of the scouts there with his size and athleticism. Hopefully, he doesn't end up going outside of his range like Heyward-Bey did. Smith has a chance to be a real difference maker at the next level, and I expect one of the teams drafting in the first round to recognize his potential and take him in the first round.