nolan smith scouting report

That being said, he does have good athleticism to flush that part of his game out. The Athletic recently projected Smith to the Houston Texans with the No. This never got better during his time at Georgia, which is concerning. Smith digs his feet into the turf and creates a nearly immovable object versus the run. 12 overall pick. New Orleans Saints 2023 NFL draft scouting report: EDGE Nolan Smith. According to NFL Mock Draft Database, Smith is a projected first-round pick. But if you have a vision for his role and development at the next level, the tools are almost second to none. Nolan Smith NFL Draft Scouting Report EDGE, Georgia Bulldogs Nolan Smith is an emotional leader on and off the field for the Georgia Bulldogs. Smith can effortlessly reduce his surface area around the apex and accelerate while cornering. A potential first-rounder who is somewhat under the radar due to an injury, this Georgia Bulldog brings some impressive snarl in a smaller package. He will make his impact felt as a run defender and earn his keep, as. Needs to be more consistent with the accuracy of his hand swipes when starting pass-rush moves. Most notably, he flashes elite bend capacity a foundational trait that not many edge defenders have in elite quantities. He's violent when shedding and has shown flashes of using his quickness to defeat blocks, too. Form tackler, good pad level, wraps up and runs his feet through contact. (21%*), 32 5/8 (55%*), 238 Ryan Wilsons CBS Sports mock draft from last weekend has him going 30th overall to the Eagles. The Georgia EDGE is a phenomenal run defender whos stronger than his frame suggests. His brand of athleticism would normally bill him as a special pass-rushing threat because he has hyper-elite burst and bend capacity. Smith has admirable flexibility where he can bend around the edges or slice across the blocker to win the inside track. Kirby Smart didnt stumble on his abundance of defensive talent by accident. Among other things, Smith sometimes pops up too upright as a pass rusher. Takes on blocks with a wide base and is stronger than his 235-pound frame would suggest to hold his ground versus offensive tackles. He kept that primary role in his four years with the Bulldogs, becoming a full-time starter in 2021. Has an excellent skip move to win around the edge. Having an edge defender that can drop into coverage, stuff the run, and get after the passer cannot be undervalued. https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2023/04/09/nolan-smith-scouting-report-2023-nfl-draft-profile/, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy, Very sudden off the snap with an excellent 1-2 step burst, Outstanding athletic testing: 4.39 40-yard dash, 41.5 vertical, Plays stronger than his size would indicate, Aggressive edge-setter versus the run who can anchor and stand up blockers with his leverage, Has spatial awareness and decent instincts when dropping into coverage, Good at getting off blocks and closing on the ball carrier in run defense, Can work in concert with linemen and reacts quickly when given an opportunity to play off those inside moves, Excelled on special teams early in his Georgia career, Extremely undersized to be a full-time EDGE in the NFL and will almost have to play as a stand-up, wide-aligned OLB to rush the passer, Short arms (32) limit his tackle radius and wrapping ability, Doesnt play to his timed speed consistently, Relies on initial jolting power to create space for himself, must develop countermoves and more variety, Some tightness in his hips and ankles in turning the corner and in open-field pursuit, Coming off a torn pectoral muscle that required surgery, Low college production for such an athlete with talent around him to get him isolated blocking looks. Smiths projection is different from those who came before him, but with his explosive athleticism and exciting upside, he could be a game-changer in the NFL. To add to his power and physicality, he is an explosive downhill athlete. As a pass rusher, Smith uses his next-level speed to scream into offensive linemen and has enough bend to slip by blockers for immediate pressure. After high school, Smith joined Georgia after being heavily recruited. Player Comparison: Haason Reddick. Please check your email for a confirmation. 6-keys: media/spln/nfl/draft/free/stories, at Nolan Smith from IMG Academy High School was rated a 5-star recruit by ESPN and handed a 5-star grade by 247 Sports. As he heads to the NFL, will professional evaluators have the same lofty opinion of his potential? Smith is quite thin to be playing against bigger offensive linemen, and while he was not swallowed up in college by any means, there is a possibility of that happening with the bigger and better athletes in the NFL. Heres ProFootballFocus report on Smith: The No. (with WWEs Corey Graves). "Smith has a relatively thin frame, which may limit his contributions at the point of attack. NFL Draft profile scouting report for Georgia EDGE Nolan Smith. Smith is unrefined, almost predictably boring, as a pass rusher, because he doesnt use his speed or explosion effectively. He is explosive, agile, and a DAWG, and therefore he is a menace when he is at his best. Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Philadelphia Eagles? He is considered the third-best linebacker prospect in the draft. As a run defender Smith shines through, using that same combination of speed and strength to attack through offensive linemen and wrap up ball carriers. Nolan Smith, Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and Nakobe Dean are always together, but on Thursday night, they were officially reunited in a business capacity . He can also be lethal when slanting with how quick and agile he is to throw off blockers' angels and get penetration. Physical at the point of attack and has pop in his hands to get extension and shed blocks from offensive tackles fairly easily. Here is a comprehensive scouting report . Comments are closed. Smith has a tough, proactive mentality in run defense and isnt afraid to square up larger blockers. The New Orleans Saints got back into the first round of the 2023 NFL draft, and have a wide range of ways that they could go with their selection. 1 overall, No. The Georgia native shows good change of direction and first-step quickness." A product of the famed IMG Academy, Smith had a recorded 4.51 40-yard dash, a 4.15 shuttle time, and a 39.6 vertical out of high school. He should not go lower than early in Round 2. Gives the ability to play any edge and linebacker position. However, he's certainly a run-first player, which has a distinct impact on his get-off in rushing situations. All rights reserved (About Us). Follow all of your favorite Michigan teams at Lions Wire, Wolverines Wire, Spartans Wire and the Detroit Free Press! He sets up his stick moves well by getting to square and giving himself a two-way go, and he has the bend to turn tight corners when winning around the edge. Nolan Smith Scouting Report - Draft Dive Spotlight Nolan Smith Scouting Report 0 2022 nfl draft Georgia Bulldogs Georgia LB Georgia Linebacker NFL Draft 2022 NFL Draft sleeper Nolan Smith Nolan Smith Draft Nolan Smith NFL Nolan Smith NFL Draft . He played in 11 games as a freshman and 10 more as a sophomore before moving into a starting role during his junior year. Weight: 238 pounds (Combine measurement) Smith is 22 years old. Needs to be more consistent with the accuracy of his hand swipes when starting pass-rush moves. Smith was arguably their greatest addition. He employs effortless leverage acquisition in run defense and can combine pad level and agility with violent hand usage to deconstruct blocks. Smith is very quick to reduce the space between him and the tackle. Nolan Smith stole the show at the NFL Combineas he put up shocking number after shocking number. Smith delivered a stellar follow-up campaign, registering seven tackles for loss and three sacks as Georgia went undefeated. Impressive change of direction and quickness to win with inside and outside stick moves. I appreciate the ferocity he plays with because that is not a teachable traityou either have it or you dont. And it all started to come together for him over the last two seasons at Georgia after grading below 70.0 in each of his first two college seasons, he earned overall grades of 85.0 (2021) and 83.7 (2022) to finish his career. Nolan Smith is a highly touted edge rusher from the University of Georgia who is expected to be a top prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft. At the same time, he is exceptionally raw. Run defense can be an area of concern for smaller EDGE prospects, but its a massive strength for Smith, and his athleticism translates extremely well in pursuit. Not very effective in line games as the looper or penetrator. An enticing blend of size and athleticism, One of the most physical players in college football, A two-way defender, impactful versus the run and pass, Can be viewed as a tweener/hybrid defender without a defined role, Hand-to-hand combat skills need improvement, : Attacking/slanting assignments in an odd front, : Oregon (2022), South Carolina (2022), Auburn (2022), Missouri (2022), Tradeable picks in the Mock Draft Machine. Unfortunately, early in the Bulldogs ninth game, Smith suffered a torn pectoral and was lost for the rest of the season. There is also some concern over his frame. Sign up for the The Draft Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. Youve now completed your Big Board, but if you want to save it youll need to become a TDN Premium member. Below is a list of mock drafts and where they have Smith going. He shows . He currently ranks as the 18th overall prospect on the consensus big board and regularly features in the middle of Round 1 in mocks. Here is everything you need to know about the ultra-athletic Bulldogs defender. 1 WDE, per 247Sports composite rating. Smith is unofficially listed at 6'3", 235 lbs. Based purely upon his sleek but smallish frame, one might expect him to be more effective as a rusher than run defender but the opposite is true. For someone who is only listed at 235 pounds, Nolan Smith is a lot stronger than you'd think and is surprisingly a better run defender than pass-rusher. Nolan Smith NFL Draft Scouting Report. Nolan Smith. Jared Carrabis, Dallas Braden and the guys from Baseball Is Dead are joined by WWE announcer Corey Graves to talk about the Pirates, wrestling crowds and more. His full-body strength is on display consistently but his base is where it begins. He gets extension against offensive linemen pretty easily and will occasionally have them falling on their faces with how violent he is when shedding. he develops in the pass-rush department. Though his stature will make him a difficult projection for some teams, other talent evaluators will see a position-fluid defender who can rush the passer as well chase down ball carriers in all areas of the field. Smith hopes to get selected just as highly as he enters the 2023 NFL draft. Works to get to square during the stem phase of a rush to give himself a two-way go and has a nice hesitation/skip move to win around the edge. Lacks pop due to his smaller size to anchor, though. In this story: Georgia Bulldogs. (57%*), 81 Relative Athletic Score places him with a 9.24 composite out of 10 thanks to remarkable times in the 40-yard dash (4.39 seconds), vertical leap (41.5 inches), and broad jump (10-foot-8). Injuries: 2021 (elbow, missed one game), 2022 (torn pec, season-ending surgery and missed every game after Week 9), Arrested for driving with a suspended license and speeding through a construction zone (misdemeanor) in January 2022, completed pre-trail diversion program in lieu of formal conviction, 2022 Honors: Second-team preseason All-American (Athlon Sports), 2021 Honors: Two-time SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week (Weeks 3 and 9), 2019 Honors: Georgia's Co-Defensive Newcomer of the Year. Despite his build, Smith holds up well in traffic and makes a lot of plays by engaging a block, shedding, and pursuing. (with WWEs Corey Graves). Has some injury concerns - has missed time in both 2021 and 2022, He may need to be covered up to be effective and can be neutralized by running at him, Smith's hand usage will need be cleaner and more coordinated, He relies far too much on speed and doesn't have a complete set of pass-rushing moves, He's overly reliant on bull rushes - dominates smaller college players. Production Score: 72. Smith has admirable flexibility where he can bend around the edges or slice across the blocker to win the inside track. He can effectively anchor and has the flexibility and natural balance to absorb blocks. But even more important in his competitive makeup is his natural leverage. Pro Football Network strives to passionately deliver purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content. Smith doesnt have the great raw power that his teammate Travon Walker a similarly raw prospect coming out had in the 2022 cycle. 26) and safety Christopher Smith (No. He will make his impact felt as a run defender and earn his keep, as he develops in the pass-rush department. Nolan Smith Scouting Report One of the holdovers of the historic 2021 Georgia defense, Smith flashed the ability to take over in 2022 before an injury prematurely ended his season. He approaches every play with a you cant block me mentality and I love it. As a true junior, Smith enjoyed success alongside Travon Walker, Jordan Davis, Devonte Wyatt, and others, putting up 53 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles in 14 starts. He was the co-winner of the Defensive Newcomer of the Year award for Georgia in 2019, putting up 2.5 sacks in rotational action. Physical at the point of attack and has pop in his hands to get extension and shed blocks from offensive tackles fairly easily. Impressive change of direction and quickness to win with inside and outside stick moves, especially if he can be more consistent with his use of hands. With the No. Smith is a very impressive athlete with excellent playing strength for his size. One area of his game that could improve is his overall strength and turning speed to power in his rush. The Georgia product does have a few traits and moves in his pass-rush arsenal that he can win with on passing downs, though. However, he's certainly a run-first player, which has a distinct impact on his get-off in rushing situations. When Walker, Davis, Wyatt, and Lewis Cine all left in the 2022 NFL Draft, Smith became the Georgia defenses premier playmaker. Click Here. Takes on blocks with a wide base and is stronger than his 235-pound frame would suggest to hold his ground versus offensive tackles. If you buy something from an SB Nation link, Vox Media may earn a commission. He applied pressure on roughly 21.9% of his pass rush attempts in 2020, 10.9% in 2021, and 18.3% in 2022. Smith joins a growing list of former UGA defensive players in Philly, with Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean being selected last season and Jalen Carter being selected earlier in the night. Smith will be taken in the first round on potential alone. Good bend to turn a tight corner and take an efficient path to the quarterback after winning around the edge. Smith was the No. Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) scrambles against Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Nolan Smith (4) during the second quarter in the Orange Bowl college football CFP national semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports. The Georgia EDGE has the tools to be dynamic in that phase. He did get more accurate with his hands from year-to-year, showing growth in that area. Height-6022. 30 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Yet another talented edge rusher from the elite Georgia defense, Nolan Smith will look to prove he is as good as the other Bulldog defenders drafted before him. However, the Georgia EDGE can be stonewalled by linemen without proper momentum. His first step, when used properly, can propel him upfield and into action quickly. When studying Smith, the three words I wrote down to capture/describe his game were: physical, violent, and relentless. He could play as a standup outside linebacker on odd fronts, too. There is also an inherent injury risk as well with Smith coming off a pec injury. Despite being an impressive elite athlete - his production as a pass rusher has only been decent. His punches land with the power to shock blockers but shedding is still a work in progress. Projecting to his third year, Smith can be a full-time edge defender that will not come off the field. The temptation in taking a player like Nolan Smith lies in his size, speed, and athleticism. His get-off is much slower and more deliberate on running downs, which makes it more difficult for him to win around the edge if the offense does pass and leads to a slower run-pass transition versus play action. The Philadelphia Eagles picked up a second former Georgia star by selection Nolan Smith with the 30th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. He has trouble stacking counters with his initial plan, and he doesnt have the kind of raw power to generate imbalance repeatedly. He can be more consistent and efficient employing his athleticism, and his speed to power, while solid, is hindered at times by his lack of elite mass and length. Smith compared well with Reddick as an edge rusher. Nolan Smith is one of the most enticing prospects in this draft. Good bend to turn a tight corner and take an efficient path to the quarterback after winning around the edge. Below is a comprehensive draft profile for Smith, including his high school and college accolades, scouting report and NFL prospect outlook. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Injuries: 2021 (elbow, missed one game), 2022 (torn pec, season-ending surgery and missed every game after Week 9), Arrested for driving with a suspended license and speeding through a construction zone (misdemeanor) in January 2022, completed pre-trail diversion program in lieu of formal conviction, 2022 Honors: Second-team preseason All-American (Athlon Sports), 2021 Honors: Two-time SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week (Weeks 3 and 9), 2019 Honors: Georgia's Co-Defensive Newcomer of the Year. Naturally, Smith fell under the radar for a bit. Didn't look comfortable dropping into coverage. He recorded just 8 tackles, 5 assists, while adding 13 stops. As a result, Smith is a difficult task to block in the run game, especially for tight ends. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (CO/IL/IN/LA/MD/MI/NJ/OH/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500(VA). In his limited time last season, he wracked up three sacks and nineteen total pressures. Smith falls below the size standards some team might have for a 3-4 outside linebacker, but he plays team-first defense with quality technique that should help him translate to the pros. Pro Football Network, LLC. *Percentile calculated on how any given stat would rank at the NFL combine He brings a level of energy that is not easily replicated. And when he is locked up, hes shown he can use his short-area athleticism and flexibility to work himself free and pierce through tight creases. Eligibility restrictions apply. DO YOUR OWN 2024 MOCK DRAFT BY CLICKING HERE (or clicking Start A Mock Draft from your account page). 19), tight end Darnell Washington (No. Reddick (6-1, 240) and Smith are almost identical in size and possess explosive speed off the edge. historically in the player's position group (Higher value represents better perfomance). On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & resort (KS). As he heads to the NFL, will professional evaluators have the same lofty opinion of his potential? Philadelphia selected Georgia linebacker Nolan Smith with the 30th pick of the draft on Thursday after choosing his teammate, defensive tackle Jalen Carter, with the ninth pick earlier in the night. Nolan Smith is a 6-3, 232-pound Weak-Side Defensive End from Savannah, GA. . And if he goes to a good developmental coaching staff, he could be a Pro Bowler one day. He excels in using his length to pry into blockers and disengages at a high level to dart into running lanes and shut down running attacks. PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Eagles selected Georgia EDGE rusher Nolan Smith with the No. Even with his frame, he plays with violence and urgency, has excellent leverage acquisition, and uses his explosive athleticism and flexibility to dominate in congested areas. Sign up for the Lions Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. Dylan Sanders. Nolan Smith is an edge rusher who lacks the bulk to hold up blockers or walk them back. The Georgia product does have a few traits and moves in his pass-rush arsenal that he can win with on passing downs, though. He could play as a standup outside linebacker on odd fronts, too. A 5-star recruit in the 2019 class, No. Check out the SI.com team page here. Smith can easily get under blockers and inside their torso, using that positioning to control reps. Smith is more flexible and more amped-up as an athlete, but his leaner frame may require a longer acclimation period in the NFL. Impressive change of direction and quickness to win with inside and outside stick moves, especially if he can be more consistent with his use of hands. With his lighter, shorter frame, Smiths margin for error with the little details is smaller. Didn't look comfortable dropping into coverage. Check out Nolan Smith's full 247Sports profile, here. While he did not blow up the stat sheet by any means, he was a key contributor to the dominant back-to-back national champion Georgia defense despite missing the conclusion of the 2022 season with a torn pec. *Percentile calculated on how any given stat would rank at the NFL combine His get-off is much slower and more deliberate on running downs, which makes it more difficult for him to win around the edge if the offense does pass and leads to a slower run-pass transition versus play action. 30 overall, the second Georgia player taken in the first round of this draft by the team -- and third in the last four years. Is it ever too early to start talking about next year's draft? Sign up to receive all the latest news and annoucements. Smith hopes to get selected. Smith navigates through blocking assignments as well and is persistent in his pursuit of the ball carrier. He's likely going to have trouble with pressure on first and second downs as he won't be able to win with speed getting off the ball so late and struggles to collapse the pocket as a bull-rusher. His hand usage can be cleaner and more coordinated, and he can stand to expand his pass-rushing arsenal. Smith can be used as a rangy run defender inside, instinctive when it comes to locating the ball with the quickness to get to it before blockers can react at the second level. The Philadelphia Eagles currently hold two first-round picks . Positives. Can set the edge versus outside zone or as the force player against pullers on power and counter. Schematically, Smith's weight might be an issue for an even-front team that's looking for a more traditional, hand-in-the-ground defensive end. Relative Athletic Score places him with a 9.24 composite out of 10 thanks to remarkable times in the 40-yard dash (4.39 seconds), vertical leap (41.5 inches), and broad jump (10-foot-8). By Tom Ignudo. Edge-rusher Nolan Smith (No. Heres a scouting report on Smith from NFL.coms Lance Zierlein: Lower weight class edge defender with the toughness to mix it up with bigger players. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Note: This profile will be updated as more. Nolan Smith is a highly touted edge rusher from the University of Georgia who is expected to be a top prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft.

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