Here at The Upset, the plan is to have about 100 complete scouting reports for the NFL Draft lovers among you. The first one I want to get to would be a Cowboys pipe dream. With Dallas picking at #19 overall, there’s a pretty decent chance that he won’t be available, but if he is—by gosh—we’re going to be prepared for it.
The pipe dream is Roquan Smith, the super talented linebacker from The University of Georgia. He is the modern NFL linebacker. What I mean by that is some people picture their linebackers being 6’3″ and 250 pounds. I don’t. You probably shouldn’t.
The NFL is a league of mismatches. Guys like Christian McCaffrey in Carolina and Alvin Kamara in New Orleans are arriving in the NFL every year. They’re valuable commodities because they wear the jersey number of a running back but are also incredibly skilled pass catchers out of the backfield.
THAT is what the modern NFL linebacker needs to be able to contend with. He has to be able to cover guys who are basically wide receivers coming out of the backfield, while still being strong enough to deal with downhill runners and the big uglies who get paid to block them. He has to be like …Roquan Smith.
Here are the measurables via nfldraftscout.com:
Roquan Smith
Height: 6002 (that translates to 6 feet and 2/8 of an inch)
Weight: 225
40 Time: 4.54
The numbers on the season say he has 124 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. If you want to see a coaching tape for linebacker play, turn on the SEC Championship game (Georgia vs Auburn). Roquan is going to have 13 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, a sack and a couple of fumble recoveries.
Overview:
Smith is the prototype for a weak side (aka WILL) linebacker. The job description for that is to run, tackle, and cover. Sean Lee is the Cowboys WILL linebacker at the moment. The defense is designed to keep him free of blockers as much as possible so he can be a heat-seeking missile tasked with destroying ball carriers. This is where Smith is at his best.
Strengths:
- Sideline to sideline speed. You don’t see running backs able to turn the corner often when Smith is on the field.
- Above-average instinct at diagnosing plays quickly. There’s a lot of misdirection in games against teams like Auburn and he sees it properly the vast majority of the time.
- Violence. For a guy who is a tick small for the position, he hits like a truck and finishes tackles. Guys stop in their tracks when he reaches them.
- Fundamentally sound tackler. He wraps up and doesn’t often fall off of a tackle.
- Coverage ability. The guy has tape where he makes plays on a ball in the air 30+ yards downfield. He backpedals and opens his hips like a safety. Great movement skills when it comes to coverage.
- Fluid, natural athleticism. Great balance.
- Works around and through blockers on the move to the ballcarrier with ease. Lower body flexibility helps here.
- He’s a vacuum covering backs in the flats.
- Short area burst/quickness
- Capable blitzer
Weaknesses:
- Size. Doesn’t have the length to stack and shed blockers consistently.
- Point of attack on runs plays. This is also related to size. At 225 pounds, he can be moved if a blocker gets his hands on him.
- Occasionally will try and “athlete” his way around a block to make a play, which leaves a hole for a back to run through.
Conclusion:
He’s a star. If he were a little bit bigger, he could be a considered in the top five of the draft. Here’s to hoping his lack of size can drop him a few spots so the Cowboys have a shot at him. It’s probably not going to happen, but hey: power of positive thinking and whatnot. You’d have some tough decisions to make—you’d want him to line up in Sean Lee’s current spot—but with this much talent, it’s a pick you have to make if he’s available at #19.
Feel free to leave names of guys you’re interested in seeing a scouting report in the comments. Also, tell me how wrong you think I am. Nothing like a good prospect internet battle.
Joe Marshall says
Very excited to have you and KT contributing–love y’all’s draft coverage for the Fan. Staying on the defensive side of the ball, I’d be interested in the trio of defensive players leaving UT early for the draft. Could any of those guys be in play in round 2?
Jeff Cavanaugh says
I shall get to the Hook Ems ASAP. I’ve studied Malik Jefferson already and was disappointed. Does a lot of guessing. When he guesses right it looks phenomenal. Guesses wrong a lot.
Kevin Turner says
I’ll get a Malik Jefferson report up next week!
Sam Morton says
I’d love to hear your honest opinion of Holton Hill. From what I watched, he was always the best player on the field, and that’s not a knock on Malik.
Kevin Turner says
Will absolutely get to Holton Hill. Very possibly next week!
Jared Katz says
Would love your thoughts on some of the wide receivers outside of Calvin Ridley. Guys in that next tier like Anthony Miller, Christian Kirk, James Washington, or Michael Gallup.
Joshua Smith says
Not so sure Kirk is that “next tier”
Jeff Cavanaugh says
Excited to see that answer because I plan to write up all of those WRs.
Andrew Robertson says
If Smith falls, let’s say, out of the top 10, could you possibly see Cowboys trading up to get him. If they did, what kind of package would they have to give up to do so? Smith is definitely someone I’d LOVE the Cowboys to have, but I agree with you that there’s almost no way he falls to 19
Jeff Cavanaugh says
I don’t know that they’d trade up for a guy that they’d then have to move Sean Lee back to MLB for. To get him would probably take your 1st and 2nd as a start
Joe Jones says
I saw another commenter ask about the longhorns..and as an Aggie..I’d like to get your thoughts on Armani Watts. I know we’ll get a write-up on Christian Kirk, but I’d love to see what you thought about Watts.
Jeff Cavanaugh says
You shall have them
Walker Adams says
Marcus Davenport out of UTSA seems like an intriguing second day prospect at DE. I’d certainly enjoy seeing something on one of the better non Power-5 prospects.
Kevin Turner says
We will do a report on him. There have been whispers that he’s a no doubt Top 20 player.
I have a 2nd round grade on him. Things I like and things I don’t.
Justin Ngo says
Hey Jeff, are you and KT going to focus ssolely on the draft or the off-season in general (free agency, trade scenarios, etc.)? It’d be fun to pick your brains on some scenarios
Jeff Cavanaugh says
Our initial plan is mostly draft related but certainly open to ideas about what you’d like to read about.
Leston Lawson says
Thanks Jeff for an interesting and insightful read. I’m excited Levi is gonna let you and KT sing along!
Josh Goryl says
As a Florida fan, I’m interested in what you think about Taven Bryan also with him being suspended all year, do you see a round where if he still there, you take Antonio Callaway?
Jeff Cavanaugh says
I actually just finished watching Taven Bryan and he’s interesting. He has the traits you want in the 3 tech DT spot. Quickness off the snap, slippery to try and block on the rush. Sometimes looks like he loses the ball and doesn’t really have an assignment though. I bet he goes in the top 40 or so picks.
Jason Baugh says
Smith is one of my top favorite defensive players to come out in my sports life ! ( 28 years )( I’m 42 ) .
He’s just got that ” IT FACTOR ” . Absolutely love the way he football’s !!!!
Victor Ramos says
Can we see one of these on Da’Ron Payne out of Alabama or Vita Vea out of Washington?
Kevin Turner says
Vita is fun!!!
Jeff Cavanaugh says
The fat athlete is the most fun.