2022 NFL DRAFT PROSPECT REPORT
- Name: Tyreke Smith
- Position: Edge Rusher
- School: Ohio State
- Height: 6'4"
- Weight: 265lbs
Film Watched: Penn State 2021, Michigan 2021, Maryland 2019, Senior Bowl
Pro's:
- 100% effort edge rusher whose motor always runs hot
- Fair burst off the line of scrimmage, and intent on engaging contact on the front foot
- Has some excellent movement; able to change direction sharply and bend round the arc into the backfield
- Elite length, which he uses to full extension and keeps blockers off his own pads
- Hides his surface area well and able to avoid opponents’ hands when working past him
- Hand placement and rush moves are well honed, and never stop working until he softens edges
- Good speed to power transfer and can get under a blockers pads and displace
- Has the experience and skillset to be an edge rusher out of any package
Tyreke Smith is a DE prospect in the 2022 draft class. He scored an unofficial 6.98 RAS at the Combine out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 421 out of 1389 DE from 1987 to 2022. https://t.co/sVSpd5WF8x #RAS via @Mathbomb pic.twitter.com/SpiyLVFW4D
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 6, 2022
Con's:
- Struggles to turn pressure into production; just 7 sacks and 11 tackles for a loss in four seasons
- Body control is a little wild; full tilt attitude sees him play over his toes on occasion
- Doesn’t possess elite core strength and struggles to dictate the line of scrimmage
- Want to see more jolt in his punches; hand power doesn’t blow blockers away
- Can get knocked off his line by longer blockers around the edge, elongating his path to the QB
The Verdict:
“Tyreke Smith has been a constant menace to Big 10 defenses off the edge the past four seasons, and despite a lack of sacks has constantly affected football games with relentless pressure on the pocket. He’s paid good attention to his fundamentals, works hard to keep his pad level down and challenged the corner against the quickest tackles in college football. He also has the counters and quicks to find gaps inside, although actually finding the football has been more troublesome for him. NFL scouts will love the tenacity but also want Smith to live in the weight room and get stronger through his core before he’s a true three-down contributor. Likely to have a more productive career in the pro’s, Smith immediately fits 4-3 schemes with the potential to play 5-tech once he gets a little stouter. If he’s still on the board after day two he’s a steal.”
Simon Carroll
Head Of NFL Draft Content
NFL COMPARISON: ODAFE OWEH
PREDICTION: 3RD ROUND PICK
5/5