2022 NFL DRAFT PROSPECT REPORT
- Name: Brandon Smith
- Position: Linebacker
- School: Penn State
- Height: 6'3"
- Weight: 241lbs
Film Watched: Auburn 2021, Wisconsin 2021, Ohio State 2021
Pro's:
- Athletic linebacker who thrives working in space
- Has the quicks to be a gap shooter and meet the football in the backfield
- Effortless lateral movement behind the line of scrimmage, scraping to the football cleanly
- Good bend to ease round corners and squeeze through gaps on blitzes
- Plenty of range in pass coverage – able to sit deep in his zone and break on the ball at speed
- Excellent length. Has a big tackle radius and doesn’t let ball carriers slip through his arms
- Can match running backs or tight ends stride for stride in man coverage
Brandon Smith is a LB prospect in the 2022 draft class. He scored an unofficial 9.99 RAS at the Combine out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 3 out of 2188 LB from 1987 to 2022. https://t.co/jChgkxOi4H #RAS via @Mathbomb pic.twitter.com/n8hzvPlFNY
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 6, 2022
Con's:
- Run defense under scrutiny when working in confined quarters and taking on blocks face up
- Has some ferocity in his tackles, but doesn’t bring the same grit in engaging blockers
- Lack of muscle mass to his frame – translates to subpar core strength in both upper & lower body
- Able to stay clean, but if blockers do latch on his lack of power inhibits his ability to stack and shed
- Too many whiffs on tape – poor play recognition, misread keys, poor form when tackling
The Verdict:
“Brandon Smith came to Penn State as a five star recruit amidst high expectations. One of the Nittany Lions’ most high-profile signings in their history, Smith showed some growth as a Junior, racking up much more production as he found more snaps in the middle of the field, but his lack of tenacity working off blocks might reduce his effectiveness in a similar role at the next level. Considering his athletic profile, Smith would be better served being used further away from the line of scrimmage, operating in space as a hybrid or nickel ‘backer with rush or blitz ability from the Will. The college career didn’t quite live up to the hype, and his skillset likely won’t command a three-down NFL role, but Smith still has splash play ability as a rotational role player for a more fluid defense.”
Simon Carroll
Head Of NFL Draft Content
NFL COMPARISON: NIGEL BRADHAM
PREDICTION: 5TH ROUND PICK
5/5