Scouting Profile: Devin Smith, WR, Ohio State

[Dustin]

Previous Installments:

 

The RBs - Hub Post

Jaelen Strong, WR, ASU

 

 

Games watched: vs Michigan State, vs Illinois, vs Wisconsin 

 

The Good: 

 

Good release. Fast and quick off of the line.

  ex. http://www.draftbreakdown.com/gif-embed/?clip=255106&gif=RecentGenerousArrowworm

 

Great at tracking the ball in the air. 

  ex. http://www.draftbreakdown.com/gif-embed/?clip=254347&gif=DefinitiveKlutzyAustraliankestrel

  ex. http://www.draftbreakdown.com/gif-embed/?clip=254347&gif=UltimateAlarmedArrowana

  ex. http://www.draftbreakdown.com/gif-embed/?clip=254348&gif=MemorableWaterloggedAfricanfisheagle

 

Fantastic long speed.  If you're a DB and are even with him, you've already lost. Going to be a great deep threat at the next level. 

 

Attacks the ball in the air when needed. 

 ex. http://www.draftbreakdown.com/gif-embed/?clip=255106&gif=ImmaterialUnfitFrog

 

In 3 games, any ball that he has a remote chance of catching has been caught. Not an exaggeration. Great hands. Doesn't bobble the ball. 

 

Awesome body control. Adjust to the ball well.

 ex. http://www.draftbreakdown.com/gif-embed/?clip=254348&gif=EssentialEvilDassierat

 ex. http://www.draftbreakdown.com/gif-embed/?clip=254348&gif=KeenHardtofindGalapagosmockingbird

 

Plays special teams. Gunner on punts. Amazing at it. 

 

The Bad: 

 

Not a big guy. He's reportedly 6' and 190 lbs. That seems accurate. Not a strong player. 

 

Doesn't posses good lateral agility or elusiveness. Not going to be a YAC guy. 

 

Still a question of how well he beats press. A lot of corners gave him a big cushion in respect to his speed. 

 

Sometimes lets ball into his chest instead of catching with his hands. 

 

Limited production. Only a 900 yard guy in his best year. 

 

Not a very good run blocker (btw Ezekiel Elliot is amazing)

 

The Ugly: 

 

In the games I watched, almost all of his production came off of go routes. Questions about his route-running ability.

 

Conclusion: 

 

I knew nothing about Smith before I started this profile, but I fell in love with his ability quickly. I was shocked when after I finished and read some scouting reports I read things like "inconsistent hands", "needs to track ball better", "double catches passes" as I saw none of that on film. Smith will make his mark his rookie year as a dangerous deep threat who can go the distance on any play. I love him as a player, but I don't see him as a fit for the Colts offense. 

 

Projected Round: 2

NFL Comparison: Torrey Smith, Baltimore

 

Up next: Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn

[twfish]

Really appreciate all these man

[krunk]

I was impressed with him after watching O. State vs Alabama.  Definitely a deep threat

[Dustin]

Really appreciate all these man

 

Thanks. I enjoy doing them. 

[21isSuperman]

Going off your analysis, it sounds like he's just a one-trick pony with those go routes.  We have lots of speed with Moncrief and Hilton, so I wouldn't want us to target a guy who would require a lot of time to develop his route-running.  With that said, those clips you posted of him tracking the ball are incredible.  They say you can't teach good hands or great body control, so there's a lot of potential to work with.  But he sounds like he would be more of a luxury than a need.  I wouldn't want him in the 2nd round, but if he were to fall to the 4th or later, I'd be all for drafting him.

 

Keep these profiles coming, Dustin! I've read every one of them and they're great stuff!

[Defjamz26]

If he's a guy who proves to be quicker to fast guy, he can become a legit receiver, and not just a DeSean Jackson. If he can learn to use his speed to create separation in his routes and get in and out his breaks quickly, he'll be more than just a deep threat. You put him on the right team who can develop WR's and he'll be a 2nd-3rd round steal for a team.

[krunk]

 

Previous Installments:

 

The RBs - Hub Post

Jaelen Strong, WR, ASU

 

 

Games watched: vs Michigan State, vs Illinois, vs Wisconsin 

 

The Good: 

 

Good release. Fast and quick off of the line.

  ex. http://www.draftbreakdown.com/gif-embed/?clip=255106&gif=RecentGenerousArrowworm

 

Great at tracking the ball in the air. 

  ex. http://www.draftbreakdown.com/gif-embed/?clip=254347&gif=DefinitiveKlutzyAustraliankestrel

  ex. http://www.draftbreakdown.com/gif-embed/?clip=254347&gif=UltimateAlarmedArrowana

  ex. http://www.draftbreakdown.com/gif-embed/?clip=254348&gif=MemorableWaterloggedAfricanfisheagle

 

Fantastic long speed.  If you're a DB and are even with him, you've already lost. Going to be a great deep threat at the next level. 

 

Attacks the ball in the air when needed. 

 ex. http://www.draftbreakdown.com/gif-embed/?clip=255106&gif=ImmaterialUnfitFrog

 

In 3 games, any ball that he has a remote chance of catching has been caught. Not an exaggeration. Great hands. Doesn't bobble the ball. 

 

Awesome body control. Adjust to the ball well.

 ex. http://www.draftbreakdown.com/gif-embed/?clip=254348&gif=EssentialEvilDassierat

 ex. http://www.draftbreakdown.com/gif-embed/?clip=254348&gif=KeenHardtofindGalapagosmockingbird

 

Plays special teams. Gunner on punts. Amazing at it. 

 

The Bad: 

 

Not a big guy. He's reportedly 6' and 190 lbs. That seems accurate. Not a strong player. 

 

Doesn't posses good lateral agility or elusiveness. Not going to be a YAC guy. 

 

Still a question of how well he beats press. A lot of corners gave him a big cushion in respect to his speed. 

 

Sometimes lets ball into his chest instead of catching with his hands. 

 

Limited production. Only a 900 yard guy in his best year. 

 

Not a very good run blocker (btw Ezekiel Elliot is amazing)

 

The Ugly: 

 

In the games I watched, almost all of his production came off of go routes. Questions about his route-running ability.

 

Conclusion: 

 

I knew nothing about Smith before I started this profile, but I fell in love with his ability quickly. I was shocked when after I finished and read some scouting reports I read things like "inconsistent hands", "needs to track ball better", "double catches passes" as I saw none of that on film. Smith will make his mark his rookie year as a dangerous deep threat who can go the distance on any play. I love him as a player, but I don't see him as a fit for the Colts offense. 

 

Projected Round: 2

NFL Comparison: Torrey Smith, Baltimore

 

Up next: Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn

 

 

 

You going to have any possesion receivers on your list like Rashad Greene from FSU?

[Dustin]

You going to have any possesion receivers on your list like Rashad Greene from FSU?

 

I'll have Greene. I think this is all who I'm going to do:  

 

Sammie Coates, DGB, Funchess, Crowder, Lockett, Dorsett, Harper, Agholor, and Greene

[Gavin]

Loved watchin him, Good hands in my opinion, Can be deceptive in his routes, Great speed, like you mentioned a bit undersized, I think has the potential to be a hell of a slot wr