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Round 6 (B) Shi Smith - WR - S. Carolina


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Overview
Smith played inside and outside at South Carolina, but will be a slot on the next level. He has an ability to slip and accelerate past press coverage. He will primarily work the first two levels of the field and he's very tough to pull in throws in traffic, but he takes on excessive punishment at times with the way he plays. He has plenty of experience as a gadget player who's able to handle the quick game and jet sweeps. His physicality makes him an interesting option as a possession player with potential middle-round value.
Strengths
  • Unspectacular but rock-steady production throughout career.
  • Has shown ability to handle high volume of targets.
  • Able to slip press fairly consistently.
  • Improved elements of his route-running in 2020.
  • Did a much better job of disguising slants and overall route intentions.
  • Maintains play speed through cuts and stems.
  • Speed to challenge downfield against single-man looks.
  • Able to fight through heavy collisions and continue to play.
  • Has gadget receiver potential.
  • Good burst to elude tacklers on jet sweeps, pop passes and receiver screens.
  • Offers kick return experience.
Weaknesses
  • Leggy and high cut.
  • Absorbs route redirection too readily.
  • Missed at least one game in all four seasons with different injuries.
  • Creates contested catches by drifting in his routes.
  • Needs to fight harder for catch space and work on his ball skills.
  • Inconsistent focus and catch radius.
  • Below average ball tracking downfield.
  • Pie 3
  • Flames 1
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    • When I arrived at college, I was 18, not too much younger than some of these draft picks.  It was not a huge school, but there were guys on the team who were 21, 22, 23....playing ahead of me.  I was seventh on the depth chart.  Those guys have been through a few seasons, were stronger, more knowledgeable.  I was a better raw player than some of them, but those other factors matter.  As I grew stronger, more familiar with the playbook, and learned what it was like to play in college, I gradually improved and with that, I rose up the depth chart.  It took most of my freshman year for the light to come on.  Had the coach thrown me into the starting lineup day 1, I would have probably failed.    And that was college.  So I agree with you based on my experience on a much lower level.  Frankly, I think that is why so many kids drafted to fill huge gaps bust.  The teams are desperate.  Anyone who looks to fill vacancies in the starting lineup through the draft is desperate.  You draft depth to develop.  For this reason, I say, "Let Walker start for a while."  Maybe Brazzell can be our WR 4.  Throw Hunter into a rotation and ask him to do one or two things.  Freeling needs some strength and he needs to work on run blocking.
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