"He's straight line fast, diagnoses well and gets in position quickly when he's clean. But he plays small and he'll need to be scheme protected to be a productive starter."
Strengths:
Field fast and ranges all over. Diagnoses quickly. Reliable tackler that wraps up and can deliver a knockout blow. Aware in zone and reads routes. Big time motor and never stops. Recovers quickly from a false step or from the ground. Clutch.
Weaknesses:
Plays small. Doesn't like taking on blocks and get can get wiped out by a rangy blocker. Quicker than fast. Shows tightness in his hips, can get shook by a good lateral mover and doesn't have the greatest balance. Man coverage isn't a strength.
Overall:
Smith's been an instinctive, aggressive tackling machine for Georgia, but he's small, gets routinely knocked around by blockers, and has some lateral stiffness that hurts him in coverage and vs quickness.
He's straight line fast, diagnoses well and gets in position quickly when he's clean. But he'll need to be scheme protected to stay free to be a productive starter.
NFL Comp: weaker Jatavis Brown