Denver sent the 55th pick to Baltimore for Nos. 65, 100 and…
Denver sent the 55th pick to Baltimore for Nos. 65, 100 and 213. Baltimore selected cornerback DeRon Jenkins, who played 93 NFL games and became a useful professional. Denver used its three picks on Detron Smith, Jeff Lewis and Leslie Ratliffe. Smith became a Pro Bowl special-teams player and two-time Super Bowl champion with Denver, giving the Broncos the strongest team-specific return from the package.
Baltimore Ravens Received
- pick 1996 2nd round pick (55th overall, DeRon Jenkins )
Denver Broncos Received
- pick 1996 3rd round pick (65th overall, Detron Smith), 1996 4th round pick (100th overall, Jeff Lewis ) and 1996 7th round pick (213th overall, Leslie Ratliffe)
Trade Analysis
Why Baltimore Traded Up
Baltimore wanted DeRon Jenkins and used three selections to climb from No. 65 to No. 55. Jenkins became a real NFL player rather than a failed prospect. He appeared in 93 career games and gave the Ravens useful secondary depth during the franchise's early years. That makes the trade-up defensible even though the price was significant.
What Denver Got From Three Picks
Denver selected Detron Smith at No. 65, quarterback Jeff Lewis at No. 100 and Leslie Ratliffe at No. 213. Lewis became a backup and Ratliffe had limited impact, but Smith was an important hit. He played 113 NFL games, earned a Pro Bowl selection for his special-teams work and was part of both Broncos Super Bowl championship teams.
How the Depth Changed the Outcome
Baltimore landed one useful defensive back. Denver received three chances and produced a player whose role was especially valuable to its championship teams. Smith was not a high-volume offensive star, yet elite special-teams play and roster longevity matter. The Broncos also retained the upside of two additional selections, even though those players did not become major contributors.
Final Verdict
Denver Broncos Win. Denver earns a B+ because the trade-down delivered multiple players and one long-term championship-era special-teams standout. Baltimore receives a B- because Jenkins had a legitimate 93-game career and prevented the move-up from becoming a failure. The Ravens got a useful player, but the Broncos extracted more team-specific value from the larger package. Smith's special-teams excellence and championship tenure provided a durable advantage that the two lesser Denver selections did not need to match on their own.