Jimmy Smith Scouting Report

Jimmy Smith

Height: 6’2
Weight: 205
College: Colorado
40 Time: 4.50
Class: Senior
Stock:
Projected: 2nd Round

Stats

2010 – 68 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 4 PBU
2009 – 52 tackles, 1.0 TFL, 7 PBU, 2 INT’s
2008 – 38 tackles, 4 PBU
2007 – 6 tackles, 2 PBU, 1 INT

Overview:

Jimmy Smith is one of the most physical CB’s in this years draft. It’s odd because he is outstanding in press coverage and he routinely gets the better of WR’s by knocking them off their routes. The exact opposite occurs in run support. He reads the run well, but he gets swallowed up by WR blocks and has trouble disengaging. When he does get in the open field, he flashes his poor tackling technique and is constantly dragged by receivers and backs. He’s a guy that could struggle mightily in his first season.

Scouting Report:

Positives

– 2.5 year starter
– Great size
– Very physical CB
– Long arms
– Has a terrific jam
– Out muscles WR’s off their routes
– Good instincts
– Reads WR’s well
– Great closing speed
– Does a good job of getting around the WR to break up passes
– Good in zone coverage
– Keeps everything in front of him and plants and drives to the ball
– Good ball skills
– Rarely ever targeted

Negatives

– Footwork needs work
– Back pedal is too high
– Flat footed in zone and is late to react at times
– Needs to stay lower in his transition
– Doesn’t have great straight line speed
– If he’s beat he can’t recover
– Sometimes gets too physical and grabs receivers resulting in penalties
– Awful in run support
– Tentative against the run
– Struggles mightily to get off blocks
– Terrible tackling technique
– Tackles too high and gets run over a lot
– Needs some work on his technique and footwork

Skills:
1-poor, 2-weak, 3-above average, 4-very good, 5-elite

Speed: 2.5
Man Coverage: 3.5
Zone Coverage: 3.0
Tackling: 1.0
Ball Skills: 3.5
Pro Potential: 3.0

Nate Solder Scouting Report

Nate Solder

Height: 6’8
Weight: 315
College: Colorado
40 Time: 4.90
Class: Senior
Stock: Down
Projected: 3rd Round

Overview:

Nate Solder is widely regarded as one of the best OT’s in college football. He has shot up draft boards and some draft sites have him rated as a 1st rounder. I must be out of the loop because when I turn on the tape of Solder, he really doesn’t impress me. He is athletic but he struggles to play with a good pad level because he is 6’8. He is outmatched by speed-rushers who easily blow by him and turn the corner. I can’t even imagine what NFL players would do to him. I can’t grade him any higher than a 3rd rounder, because right now he is nothing more than a developmental prospect that could start down the road.

Scouting Report:

Positives

– Great size
– Outstanding athlete
– Gets into his stance quickly
– Good run blocker
– Moves well in space
– Does a good job of getting to the 2nd level
– Can hit people in space because of his athleticism
– Doesn’t bend at the waist
– Seals the edge and is also a good down blocker
– Good potential

Negatives

– Needs to get stronger
– Doesn’t have quick feet to stick with speed-rushers
– Will get to deep and is susceptible to counter/inside moves that he struggles with
– Plays with poor leverage
– Gets bull-rushed too much because of his pad level and lack of strength
– Lacks a mean punch
– Poor use of his hands and struggles to stay engaged at times
– Will get called for holding quite a bit
– May be best suited as a RT only

Skills:
1-poor, 2-weak, 3-above average, 4-very good, 5-elite

Strength: 2.0
Pass Blocking: 2.5
Run Blocking: 3.0
Footwork: 2.5
Technique: 2.5
Mobility: 4.0
Mean Streak: 3.0
Pro Potential: 3.5