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Jimmy Smith Impresses over Postseason - Ranks #4 Cornerback by Draft Insiders'
Photo - CB Jimmy Smith - Colorado
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Yearbook - Jimmy Smith Scouting Report
Jimmy Smith #3 - 6’2” 210 lbs. - Colorado - Sp. 4.45 Hindu Theory - Chris McAlister
Big physical athlete has been a fixture in the Buffalos secondary since his sophomore season, earning Big 12 honors his final two years. Jimmy completed another strong performance and followed that up with an excellent NFL Combine that has him rising up the charts. He shows some playmaking ability in coverage and plays a gambling style that has produced big plays during his career. He is a big strong agile athlete with quick footwork and smooth hips, showing the ability to play in either man or zone coverage. He is a tough defender who will not hesitate to come up and support the run well. He is sure strong tackler who wraps up well and totaled 140 tackles over his last two seasons. He gets off blockers well and can deliver linebacker type hits at the LOS and in the openfield. In pass coverage, he has the quickness to play man situations with the instincts to read routes and footwork and speed to match up in the deep game. He needs further development in his reads and responsibilities within each scheme. He is a well-built athlete who has bulked up over the past year and plays in the 210 lb. range at over 6’2”. He combines the quickness, speed and the agility to become a starter at the next level within a short time once he settles into a defense. He usually has good basics in his backpedal, though sometimes he can be a too high which slows down his reaction time. He can plant and drive on the ball and usually shows very good timing and sound instincts on his reads. He combines the talent and ball skills to become a quality pro cover man, though he made only three career interceptions. For a defender of his size, he has quick reactions with the fluid hips to break on the ball and make plays. He also shows the ability to read plays well and make adjustments quickly with good recovery speed in the deep game. He lacks the great suddenness of the elite #1 shutdown corners, though he proved he can handle speed receivers in the deep game. He can make plays on the ball and uses his good instincts and toughness to battle big receivers where he matches up very well. In run support, he has been a strong tackler with the toughness and AA to be an every down defender. He ranks among the better developed cover men in this class. He has fine hip flex and is able to turn and run smoothly with receivers in coverage with the quick reactions to plant and drive on the ball. He is sound in zone coverage, in addition to very good bump and run and man coverage skills. He has good ball skills and hands and is able to snatch the ball and high point it. As a senior, he started all 12 games at corner and made 70 tackles with 1 FF, 1 FR, 5 PBU and 0 picks, earning Big 12 first team honors. As a junior, he started all 12 games and posted 70 tackles with 10 PBU, 1 FF, 1 FR and 2 picks that earned him 1st team Big 12 honors. As a sophomore, he started 3 games and made 39 tackles, 1 FF, 1 FR with 0 picks and 5 PBU for first team WAC honors. At the NFL Combine, he came in over 6’2” and 211 lbs and did 24 reps in the lifting. He ran 4.47 and 4.44 times with a 1.54 ten yard time. He ran a 4.06 in the short shuttle with a 6.93 three-cone drill. He also had a 36” VJ and a 10’3” BJ. He is similar to former #1 pick and former Ravens and Pro Bowler, Chris McAlister in size, speed, athleticism and in overall toughness and development. He has that type of upside potential, level of development and overall physical skill set. He shows a good closing burst of speed that he uses well to outrun his mistakes. He shows fine fluidity, opening his hips and is smooth with the ability to close to the ball. He can win starting time as a rookie. He is able to make plays in front of him, coming out of his backpedal and driving hard on the ball. He looks like a top 25 prospect off his strong final season and postseason. He is highly developed as a cover man with early starting grade and fast learning curve. He has the package to make that adjustment within a short time to start. Blue chip prospect probably fits in the late first round with the Eagles, Ravens and Falcons very interested. Talented corner with the upside to become a very good starter fairly soon in his career. One of the premier corners in this class with a Pro Bowl skill set.
Draft Projection: 1st Round