Moreover, Smith can violently rip down opposing anchors after assuming control. His hand usage can be cleaner and more coordinated, and he can stand to expand his pass-rushing arsenal. 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. (42%*), 9
Grade. He shows . PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Eagles selected Georgia EDGE rusher Nolan Smith with the No. (55%*), 238
| Franklin, Scouting report on Eagles 1st round pick Jalen Carter. 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. 35) round out the quintet. He will make his impact felt as a run defender and earn his keep, as. Takes on blocks with a wide base and is stronger than his 235-pound frame would suggest to hold his ground versus offensive tackles. Impressive change of direction and quickness to win with inside and outside stick moves. That being said, he is unrefined with his hands to effectively defeat pass blocks with optimal quickness. But if a team thinks they'll be able to add size to his frame in their weight program, he's strong and physical enough as it is to get the job done. Georgia edge Nolan Smith might not be the top defensive prospect in the 2023 class, but he should make a case to be a top-10 pick. One year after a historic 2022 NFL Draft class, the Georgia Bulldogs are once again poised to dominate Round 1, and standout EDGE Nolan Smith is a crucial part of that development. Smith has admirable flexibility where he can bend around the edges or slice across the blocker to win the inside track. Hes very effective when the tackle opens his chest. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/26/2023). 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. 20th-ranked prospect of all-time. Eagles select Nolan Smith at No. He employs effortless leverage acquisition in run defense and can combine pad level and agility with violent hand usage to deconstruct blocks. He'd often cover grass in zone coverage and would struggle to stay in phase versus tight ends in man. However, recovering from a torn pec might scare some of these teams off. As Smith's NFL Draft Bible profile reads, "Smith does a great job to set the edge and uses his length to stack and shed, often closing a rushing lane plus making the tackle for a stuff. Off the jump, it is clear that Nolan Smith is immensely talented, with a height/weight/speed combination that is rare to find coming into the league. He adds an additional layer in pass coverage as well, where his speed and length take over once more; Smith can fairly reliably drop into coverage with backs and tight ends. He shows off a hot motor both as a pass rusher and in pursuit. 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. Didn't look comfortable dropping into coverage. Please check your email for a confirmation. Written by B/R NFL Draft Scout Matt Holder. Most effective when utilizing heavy hands to strike and shed, with a motor to give pursuit and clean up piles with at the end of plays. Nolan Smith arrived at Georgia as one of the top recruits in the country in 2019 and played immediately as a pass-rush specialist. On passing downs, he times up the snap well and has good acceleration off the ball to win with speed. But right now, hes still relatively underdeveloped as a hand fighter. It all starts with Smiths freakish get-off, where he keys the center and times the snap very well and his explosive first step covers a lot of ground. Nolan Smith is one of the most enticing prospects in this draft. Unfortunately, early in the Bulldogs ninth game, Smith suffered a torn pectoral and was lost for the rest of the season. Nolan Smith is an edge rusher who lacks the bulk to hold up blockers or walk them back. Smith is lean, a bit undersized, and lacks elite length. Smith was the No. While he is not fully developed as a pass rusher, there are clear signs of potential in his unreal speed for his size and frame that will be up to the right team to unlock. With the Chargers having needs at various positions, we will do our best to evaluate the players that we feel fit the team precisely. Nolan Smith, Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and Nakobe Dean are always together, but on Thursday night, they were officially reunited in a business capacity . Sign up for the Lions Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. However, he's certainly a run-first player, which has a distinct impact on his get-off in rushing situations. Form tackler, good pad level, wraps up and runs his feet through contact. Note: This profile will be updated as more. Could afford to add some weight to help him hold ground against base blocks from the bigger and elite NFL offensive tackles. 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. 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 has an explosive first step and can surge downhill into blockers, leveraging his burst into power. 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. He'd often cover grass in zone coverage and would struggle to stay in phase versus tight ends in man. Production Score: 72. He can also be lethal when slanting with how quick and agile he is to throw off blockers' angels and get penetration. Hes overly reliant on his first step, length, and power to overcome opponents, which can limit his ceiling to the next level. H.S. 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. Edge-rusher Nolan Smith (No. 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. 1 overall recruit in the 2019 class. And if he goes to a good developmental coaching staff, he could be a Pro Bowler one day. As he heads to the NFL, will professional evaluators have the same lofty opinion of his potential? Most effective when uncovered inside and chasing stretch plays to the sideline. OLB Nolan Smith: NFL Draft scouting report, When should Pirates fans buy into this team? One of the holdovers from the 2021 Georgia defense, can edge rusher Nolan Smith crack Round 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft with his scouting report? Smith can be locked up by longer tackles, and if his initial speed-to-power moves dont land, he can struggle to penetrate the pocket past that point. There is also some concern over his frame. The Philadelphia Eagles currently hold two first-round picks . The Georgia EDGE can make better use of attack angles coming downhill and can also be more consistent in attaining proper depth before attacking the pocket. Smith can effortlessly reduce his surface area around the apex and accelerate while cornering. (with WWEs Corey Graves). Smith has a tough, proactive mentality in run defense and isnt afraid to square up larger blockers. In his limited time last season, he wracked up three sacks and nineteen total pressures. Nolan Smith is an emotional leader on and off the field for the Georgia Bulldogs. His lack of size and length are better-suited for a transition to more of a SAM backer than a full EDGE, though he doesnt have the lateral agility or experience to play there right away. For his MaxPreps profile, click here. However, he's certainly a run-first player, which has a distinct impact on his get-off in rushing situations. This not only puts a cap on his maximum power generation output but also makes him easy to outreach and can cause attempted counters to fail. 21+ (18+ NH/WY). But his athletic traits lend him impressive pass-rushing upside as well. Nolan Smith's scouting report Athletic Ability (35) Speed/Athleticism: 15 Speed ( 7/7) - Excellent speed rush. The Athletic recently projected Smith to the Houston Texans with the No. There are not many human beings walking around that look like him that can do the things he does from an athletic standpoint, and it is worth the risk should he develop into maximizing those gifts. Smith delivered a stellar follow-up campaign, registering seven tackles for loss and three sacks as Georgia went undefeated. 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. One area of his game that could improve is his overall strength and turning speed to power in his rush. And with his speed off the ball and serviceable length, he can work speed to power, long-arm his blockers outside shoulder, and stack rips in quick succession. The Georgia EDGE has the tools to be dynamic in that phase. 8 overall pick to the Falcons. He should not go lower than early in Round 2. section: | slug: nolan-smith-nfl-draft-2023-scouting-report-prospect-ranking-recruiting-profile-more-about-georgia-edge | sport: football | route: article_single_special | This was the second of two selections for the Eagles in the first round of this year's draft, as they previously picked Jalen Carter with the No. 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. He can also be more consistent in applying his bend with synergy and loses his balance when attempting to bend around the edge at times. 3:23 pm ET, Cowboys NFL Draft hub: Full list of picks, team fits, 2023 NFL Draft: Best prospects available in Round 5, Greatness is guaranteed when LeBron, Steph clash, Looking ahead to No. 1 recruit of the 2019 class, Smith has been a highly touted prospect for quite some time. Hes a dense, compact defender who can shock blockers at the point of attack with precise and forceful hands. Banks (6-foot, 197 pounds) earned one of the top NGS athleticism scores (98) among prospects to . Once the top-ranked recruit coming out of high school, Smith saw immediate action upon arrival in Athens. You can view the full scouting report for Smith on NFL . His impact was obviously felt early on, even on a defense with multiple NFL draft picks. Written by B/R NFL Draft Scout Matt Holder. A fully-developed Smith can be a dangerous weapon to deploy off the edge versus opposing offenses. Can set the edge versus outside zone or as the force player against pullers on power and counter. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & resort (KS). Nolan Smith stole the show at the NFL Combineas he put up shocking number after shocking number. 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. historically in the player's position group (Higher value represents better perfomance). The Georgia product does have a few traits and moves in his pass-rush arsenal that he can win with on passing downs, though. To add to his power and physicality, he is an explosive downhill athlete. Height: 6-foot-2. The temptation in taking a player like Nolan Smith lies in his size, speed, and athleticism. He's violent when shedding and has shown flashes of using his quickness to defeat blocks, too. However, recovering from a torn pec might scare some of these teams off. Additionally, he shows off the elite closing speed necessary to negate options and outside runs. The defensive standout projects as an early round selection. He brings a level of energy that is not easily replicated. He will need to get with coaches and seriously develop better ways to attack the pocket and gain counters that he currently lacks. The Georgia product does have a few traits and moves in his pass-rush arsenal that he can win with on passing downs, though. According to the NFL Mock Draft Database, Smith looks likely to come off the board on Day 1. Sign up to receive all the latest news and annoucements. April 30, 2023 5:06 pm ET. 12 overall pick. Most mock drafts have him in the back half of the first round somewhere between 16-32. Hes very good in coverage when looking into the backfield in zone coverage. Note: This profile will be updated as more information becomes available. However, few, if any, prospects have the same athleticism, bend, and size-relative strength that Smith has. 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. OVERALL DRAFT SCORE: 87. He has an excellent feel for working off blockers and knowing how and when to counter as the play goes on. You can view the full scouting report for Smith on NFL Draft Bible, but here's a notable snippet: "Nolan Smith is an excellent athlete who is a terrorizing run defender. (99%*), 128 (C)
Below is a comprehensive draft profile for Smith, including his high school and college accolades, scouting report and NFL prospect outlook. 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. He has the explosiveness to quickly throttle up and pierce through gaps, and hes a springy mover in tight spaces. Smith navigates through blocking assignments as well and is persistent in his pursuit of the ball carrier. historically in the player's position group (Higher value represents better perfomance). Smith might have a tougher time holding up against the bigger and more physical offensive tackles at the next level with his lean frame, but he has plenty of room for growth to add 10 to 15 pounds. He is overly reliant on outright talent to win matchups and lacks a versatile pass rush toolbox that he will need to be a dominant edge rusher in the NFL. Smith is a former five-star recruit and finalist for the Anthony Munoz Lineman of the Year award as a senior. Despite his build, Smith holds up well in traffic and makes a lot of plays by engaging a block, shedding, and pursuing. 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. https://draftwire.usatoday.com/lists/2023-nfl-draft-nolan-smith-scouting-report/, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. He kept that primary role in his four years with the Bulldogs, becoming a full-time starter in 2021. Youve now completed your Big Board, but if you want to save it youll need to become a TDN Premium member. Becoming more technical with his hands to deconstruct and shed blocks can unlock his full potential at the next level. And in the right hands, he can be an invaluable defensive piece. 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. March 6, 2023 12:33 pm CT. Smith is a former five-star recruit and finalist for the Anthony Munoz Lineman of the Year award as a senior. Nolan Smith NFL Draft Scouting Report EDGE, Georgia Bulldogs Nolan Smith is an emotional leader on and off the field for the Georgia Bulldogs. 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). 30 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles selected Georgia EDGE Nolan Smith. When studying Smith, the three words I wrote down to capture/describe his game were: physical, violent, and relentless. Smith has experience rushing from two and three-point stances, but he appears most comfortable playing in a two-point stance. Nolan Smith RAS Strengths Smith's best attribute is his raw athleticism and speed off of the line. 30 overall, the second Georgia player taken in the first round of this draft by the team -- and third in the last four years. The Eagles will be back on the clock Friday night, beginning with the 62nd overall selection, which will be the 31st pick in the second round. His elite athleticism can buoy a drastic ascent as a pass-rushing threat, both one-on-one against tackles and as a blitzer. Reddick (6-1, 240) and Smith are almost identical in size and possess explosive speed off the edge. If you have a list of boxes to check, Smith checks most of them. Author: The NFL Draft Bible. 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). No. 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. Smith will be taken in the first round on potential alone. Speed it top end for the position, and would be considered top end for most any position. Nolan Smith from IMG Academy High School was rated a 5-star recruit by ESPN and handed a 5-star grade by 247 Sports. Smith is unofficially listed at 6'3", 235 lbs. The Philadelphia Eagles currently hold two first-round picks and four picks in the top 100, and Smith could be a target for Howie Roseman and his staff early in the draft. 1 overall, No. Gambling Problem? A 5-star recruit in the 2019 class, No. Didn't look comfortable dropping into coverage. 6-2
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. Comments are closed. Howie Roseman and company moved up one selection in a trade with the Chicago Bears to secure perhaps the most talented player in the 2023 NFL Draft class. Form tackler, good pad level, wraps up and runs his feet through contact. 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. 1 overall, No. Games watched: Alabama 2021 (SEC Title), Oregon 2022, South Carolina 2022 . 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. Original: Jun 13, 2022. Background: Rotated into the defense in his first two seasons with the Bulldogs, posting 18-2.5-2.5 and 21-2.5-2.5 in his first two years over . By Tony Pauline April 19, 2023 Doesn't have a ton of power behind his bull rush and doesn't work to get on an edge to collapse the pocket against offensive tackles. List of teams that have advanced to second round of 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Updated bracket heading into second round of 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, How to watch Avalanche vs. Kraken in Game 7 of first round in 2023 NHL Playoffs via live stream, Kings outlook heading into 2023 offseason, Everything you need to know for Warriors vs. Lakers in the second round of 2023 NBA playoffs. 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. 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. Smith might have a tougher time holding up against the bigger and more physical offensive tackles at the next level with his lean frame, but he has plenty of room for growth to add 10 to 15 pounds. By Tom Ignudo. And that same athleticism can allow Smith to be a space defender, as well as destroy outside gaps in run defense. 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. 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. Brian Fonseca may be reached at bfonseca@njadvancemedia.com. Smith hopes to get selected. He can also pinch incredibly tight angles with his ankle flexion and accelerate through to invade the pocket. 6-keys: media/spln/nfl/draft/free/stories, at Takes on blocks with a wide base and is stronger than his 235-pound frame would suggest to hold his ground versus offensive tackles. Glenn Erby. He applied pressure on roughly 21.9% of his pass rush attempts in 2020, 10.9% in 2021, and 18.3% in 2022. The Georgia edge rusher developed more pass-rushing moves and became dominant against the run. He mirrored that production in 2020 and took another step forward in the teams championship-winning 2021 campaign. 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 2023: Scouting Report for Philadelphia Eagles' EDGE BR NFL Scouting Department April 27, 2023 AP Photo/John Bazemore HEIGHT: 6'2" WEIGHT: 238 HAND: 9" ARM: 32 5/8". While not the most gifted of pass rushers, he can certainly get there eventually given his talent pool, and he is solid in run defense and pass coverage already. His power rushes can be easily absorbed and neutralized by stronger blockers. The Georgia EDGE is a phenomenal run defender whos stronger than his frame suggests. Pro Football Network, LLC. Smith produced and impressed more as a run defender than as a pass rusher in college, and hes a power-based player despite having elite speed and explosiveness for an EDGE. Eventual Starter. Even after a long career at Georgia, Smith is still more of a projection than one would prefer. He's coming off a season of career highs in tackles (56), tackles for loss (9.0), sacks (3.5) and forced fumbles (three). Today, I take a look at Georgia edge defender Nolan Smith. His athleticism is shown when asked to drop into coverage even in small instances but he does not look like a fish out of water. Scouting Report Evaluated 08/23/2018. Interestingly, run defense is where Smiths traits translate best or at least most consistently. Support NJ.com, Brian Fonseca | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. Georgia. video for When should Pirates fans buy into this team? PFNs FREE Mock Draft Simulator (With Trades). 6.4. He has always been viewed as a project who possesses rare speed and athleticism for an edge defender. Below is a comprehensive draft profile for Smith, including his high school and college accolades, scouting report and NFL prospect outlook. Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports. Can attack the edge with speed and has the flexibility to dip low and under the tackle's reach. Good bend to turn a tight corner and take an efficient path to the quarterback. 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. Working on the consistency of his use of hands to defeat the offensive lineman's hands will allow him to grow in that department. Long story short, he has very few flaws against the run and has the upside to be even better with some added mass. As a result, Smith is a difficult task to block in the run game, especially for tight ends.
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