Smith is an elite athlete. Height-6022. That's closer to how he was used in college, but he wasn't the best in coverage which could be an issue in that scheme at the next level. But he triumphantly announced his return at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, logging a 4.39 40-yard dash, 41.5 vertical, and a 108 broad jump at his size. 30 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. There is also an inherent injury risk as well with Smith coming off a pec injury. 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. The New Orleans Saints got back into the first round of the 2023 NFL draft, and have a wide range of ways that they could go with their selection. (42%*), 9 He throws off the offensive lineman's angle while simultaneously dipping his shoulder to reduce the surface area to block, getting the lineman off-balance so he can get penetration. But looking more closely at the film, do the cosmetic factors translate on tape? Smith's Positives (with WWEs Corey Graves). Due to his stellar run defense, Smith projects as a potential three-down defender in year one. There is a bit of a disconnect between Smiths buzz as a prospect and his on-field production. Here is everything you need to know about the ultra-athletic Bulldogs defender. He is considered the third-best linebacker prospect in the draft. Kirby Smart didnt stumble on his abundance of defensive talent by accident. Works to get to square during the stem phase of a rush to give himself a two-way go and has a nice hesitation/skip move to win around the edge. The Georgia product does have a few traits and moves in his pass-rush arsenal that he can win with on passing downs, though. Gives the ability to play any edge and linebacker position. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Lacks pop due to his smaller size to anchor, though. As he heads to the NFL, will professional evaluators have the same lofty opinion of his potential? Nolan Smith RAS Strengths Smith's best attribute is his raw athleticism and speed off of the line. But his athletic traits lend him impressive pass-rushing upside as well. As he heads to the NFL, will professional evaluators have the same lofty opinion of his potential? 6.4. (93%*), 4.39 (C) 26) and safety Christopher Smith (No. 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. By Tony Pauline April 19, 2023 Smith is unrefined, almost predictably boring, as a pass rusher, because he doesnt use his speed or explosion effectively. Nolan Smith, Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and Nakobe Dean are always together, but on Thursday night, they were officially reunited in a business capacity . 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. 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). Who will Panthers face in second round of 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs? Full List of Georgia Players Drafted in Each Round of 2023 NFL Draft 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. Nolan Smith: OLB, Georgia: 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report As a pass rusher, Smith uses his next-level speed to scream into offensive linemen and has enough bend to slip by blockers for immediate pressure. Nolan Smith NFL Draft Scouting Report EDGE, Georgia Bulldogs Nolan Smith is an emotional leader on and off the field for the Georgia Bulldogs. He can get off the mark as a rusher, but lacks the counters and contact balance to consistently assault the pocket at a high rate. He does not have a wide pass-rushing toolbox, but he makes up for that with the ability to overwhelm with pure speed, strength, and flexibility. Smith navigates through blocking assignments as well and is persistent in his pursuit of the ball carrier. His full-body strength is on display consistently but his base is where it begins. He did get more accurate with his hands from year-to-year, showing growth in that area. 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. Though undersized for a 3-4 outside linebacker at 6-foot-2 and 238 pounds, Smith has genuinely rare athletic traits. 11 Oregon, One QB sack that forced an intentional grounding penalty in the win over Vanderbilt, Tackle for lost yardage and a QB hurry in win over Samford, Named to preseason watch lists for the Outland Trophy (nation's top interior lineman) and Bronko Nagurski Trophy (nation's top defender), Second-team pre-season All-America selection by Athlon Sports, Led the Bulldogs in tackles (8) in Capital One Orange Bowl win over Michigan, Three tackles, one for loss, two QB hurries and a pivotal play of Georgias win over Missouri, when he blocked a second-quarter Tiger punt that resulted in a safety, Four total stops in win over Floridaadded three career firsts vs. the Gators: forced fumble, fumble recovery and interception, all in a 39-second span of the second quarter, Twice named SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week: vs. USC and Florida. Lions 2023 NFL draft profile: Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech. Hes a dense, compact defender who can shock blockers at the point of attack with precise and forceful hands. April 27, 2023 / 11:45 PM / CBS Philadelphia. With his lighter, shorter frame, Smiths margin for error with the little details is smaller. To add to his power and physicality, he is an explosive downhill athlete. He'd often cover grass in zone coverage and would struggle to stay in phase versus tight ends in man. (21%*), 32 5/8 Smith became the starting OLB/EDGE for the Bulldogs in 2021. Smith was arguably their greatest addition. Smith has a tough, proactive mentality in run defense and isnt afraid to square up larger blockers. But if you have a vision for his role and development at the next level, the tools are almost second to none. Nolan Smith is an emotional leader on and off the field for the Georgia Bulldogs. Smith has first-round athletic ability, and its very reasonable to consider him within the top 31 picks. Copyright 2019-2023. Nolan Smith Scouting Report - Draft Dive However, few, if any, prospects have the same athleticism, bend, and size-relative strength that Smith has. His hands, at their best, are amped-up and possess surprising knock-back power. (99%*), 128 (C) Personally, I have a fringe top-50 grade on Smith. Was Eagles-Bears trade that netted Jalen Carter at 9 a win-win trade? His stance can be more efficient, and he hesitates at times. . Odds and lines subject to change. Hes very effective when the tackle opens his chest. Can set the edge versus outside zone or as the force player against pullers on power and counter. He should not go lower than early in Round 2. He recorded just 8 tackles, 5 assists, while adding 13 stops. He mirrored that production in 2020 and took another step forward in the teams championship-winning 2021 campaign. April 30, 2023 5:06 pm ET. (with WWEs Corey Graves). He's violent when shedding and has shown flashes of using his quickness to defeat blocks, too. 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: EDGE Nolan Smith, Georgia Yet, he can be too reliant on bull rushes and speed-to-power moves. Nolan Smith NFL Draft Player Profile: Scouting Report, Stats for Georgia ED He excels in using his length to pry into blockers and disengages at a high level to dart into running lanes and shut down running attacks. 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. Named one of three team captains for the Vanderbilt game. Nolan Smith (LB - Georgia) 6'3 - 235 lbs. video for Is there really no failure in sports? Nolan Smith is a highly touted edge rusher from the University of Georgia who is expected to be a top prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft. 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. Most mock drafts have him in the back half of the first round somewhere between 16-32. Nolan Smith Linebacker - EDGE Georgia | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Please check your email for a confirmation. Smith is a very impressive athlete with excellent playing strength for his size. Reddick (6-1, 240) and Smith are almost identical in size and possess explosive speed off the edge. Smith hopes to get selected just as highly as he enters the 2023 NFL draft. He's coming off a season of career highs in tackles (56), tackles for loss (9.0), sacks (3.5) and forced fumbles (three). All rights reserved (About Us). Naturally, Smith fell under the radar for a bit. 1 pick for '24 NFL Draft, Report: Bucs star Barrett's daughter, 2, drowns in pool, Track where undrafted NFL free agents are signing, Curry's GOAT case continues to grow with historic Game 7, NFL schedule release target date, plus 5 things we know, Hobbled Butler, Heat are playoff problem-solvers, 2019: Co-Defensive Newcomer of the Year (team awards banquet), 2021 (vs. Michigan): Career-high seven QB pressures. 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Nolan Smith (LB - Georgia) The Philadelphia Eagles currently hold two first-round picks . Luke Stampini Recruiting . He will need to get with coaches and seriously develop better ways to attack the pocket and gain counters that he currently lacks. His punches land with the power to shock blockers but shedding is still a work in progress. However, recovering from a torn pec might scare some of these teams off. Check out Nolan Smith's full 247Sports profile, here. section: | slug: nolan-smith-nfl-draft-2023-scouting-report-prospect-ranking-recruiting-profile-more-about-georgia-edge | sport: football | route: article_single_special | With his twitch, Smith can generate ample short-area momentum with little strain, force tackles to overset, and capitalize with his instant burst. 9 overall pick. 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. He currently ranks as the 18th overall prospect on the consensus big board and regularly features in the middle of Round 1 in mocks. Today, I take a look at Georgia edge defender Nolan Smith. High school:IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida)Class: 2019Composite Rating: (0.9994), High school accolades: First-team All-American (MaxPreps), first-team All-USA (USA Today), first-team junior All-American (MaxPreps), second-team sophomore All-American (MaxPreps), 2016 All-State Class A-Private first-team defense (Georgia Sports Writers Association and the Atlanta Journal Constitution). Not only is Smith explosive, but he also has exceptional lateral mobility and short-area agility. Support NJ.com, Brian Fonseca | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. It is a bit concerning that a player with Smiths athletic profile never exploded onto the stat sheet, especially with four years of experience. PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Eagles selected Georgia EDGE rusher Nolan Smith with the No. Smith hopes to get selected. (AP Photo/John Amis). Teams will be betting big that they can unlock the talent of Smith, who has yet to emerge as the top pass rusher his athletic charts say he can be. And in the right hands, he can be an invaluable defensive piece. Most effective when uncovered inside and chasing stretch plays to the sideline. Georgia 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports Include Kearis Jackson, Nolan 2023 NFL Draft Preview: Scouting report on Georgia edge Nolan Smith Philadelphia Eagles NFL Draft Grades 2023: Eagles Snag Another Georgia Defender in Kelee Ringo, Linebackers Drafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, 2023 NFL Draft: Day 2 More Bizarre Than We Could Expect, 2023 NFL Draft: Biggest Round 1 Steals and Snubs Include Dalton Kincaid, Will Levis, and Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Mingo, WR, Ole Miss | NFL Draft Scouting Report. 30 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles selected Georgia EDGE Nolan Smith. Impact upper tier Power 5 starter and No. Hes dynamic, well-built, and he interviews well. Didn't look comfortable dropping into coverage. Smith is viewed in high regard by his teammates and coaches as a dynamic leader in the locker room. If you buy something from an SB Nation link, Vox Media may earn a commission. Lateral Quickness ( 2.5/4) - I don't see a ton of lateral quickness ability. Nolan Smith NFL Draft 2023: Scouting Report for Georgia Edge You can view the full scouting report for Smith on NFL . He should be a consideration at No. The Georgia EDGE is a phenomenal run defender whos stronger than his frame suggests. Nolan Smith arrived at Georgia as one of the top recruits in the country in 2019 and played immediately as a pass-rush specialist. Sign up for the Lions Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. Needs to be more consistent with the accuracy of his hand swipes when starting pass-rush moves. 8 overall pick to the Falcons. Smith has an explosive first step to threaten offensive tackles outside shoulders. He was the co-winner of the Defensive Newcomer of the Year award for Georgia in 2019, putting up 2.5 sacks in rotational action. Among other things, Smith sometimes pops up too upright as a pass rusher. That being said, he is unrefined with his hands to effectively defeat pass blocks with optimal quickness. Long story short, he has very few flaws against the run and has the upside to be even better with some added mass. Becoming more technical with his hands to deconstruct and shed blocks can unlock his full potential at the next level. Interestingly, run defense is where Smiths traits translate best or at least most consistently. Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia | NFL Draft Scouting Report He does a good job using his hands to get off blocks and is relentless in pursuit. 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. Becoming more technical with his hands to deconstruct and shed blocks can unlock his full potential at the next level. Smith is viewed in high regard by his teammates and coaches as a dynamic leader in the locker room. Fresh off helping Georgia secure back-to-back championships, outside linebacker Nolan Smith has departed for the 2023 NFL Draft. Could afford to add some weight to help him hold ground against base blocks from the bigger and elite NFL offensive tackles. Note: This profile will be updated as more information becomes available. 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. Weight-238 lbs. 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. 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. 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. 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. He brings a level of energy that is not easily replicated. He brings a level of energy that is not easily replicated. His elite athleticism can buoy a drastic ascent as a pass-rushing threat, both one-on-one against tackles and as a blitzer. 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. Good bend to turn a tight corner and take an efficient path to the quarterback. Smith isnt perfect operationally yet, but he undoubtedly has the want-to. When Walker, Davis, Wyatt, and Lewis Cine all left in the 2022 NFL Draft, Smith became the Georgia defenses premier playmaker. Smith is very quick to reduce the space between him and the tackle. 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. Smith was the No. As his testing numbers at the NFL Combine exemplify, Smith is a tremendous athlete. Good bend to turn a tight corner and take an efficient path to the quarterback after winning around the edge. Works to get to square during the stem phase of a rush to give himself a two-way go and has a nice hesitation/skip move to win around the edge. Smith has an unconventional body type for an NFL. With several Bulldogs defenders departing Athens to become first-round picks in this past April's draft, Smith is now looked at as one of the leaders and best players on what is another stout unit. He kept that primary role in his four years with the Bulldogs, becoming a full-time starter in 2021. Scheme Fit: Attacking/slanting assignments in an odd front, TDN Consensus Grade: 81.00/100 (Second-Round Value), Exposures: Oregon (2022), South Carolina (2022), Auburn (2022), Missouri (2022). He was an elite athlete with a sturdy frame, oozing first-round potential. He has a very accurate. 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. 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. NFL Draft 2023: Scouting report on Eagles pick Nolan Smith Want even more Philadelphia Eagles news? Brian Fonseca may be reached at bfonseca@njadvancemedia.com. 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. Form tackler, good pad level, wraps up and runs his feet through contact. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: nfl | pageType: stories | Nolan Smith NFL Draft 2023: Scouting report, prospect ranking See terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. Georgia linebacker Nolan Smith is rising up draft projections and could be an edge-rushing option for the Eagles. His first step, when used properly, can propel him upfield and into action quickly. Nolan Smith NFL Draft Scouting Report - Draft Network Neither do we. 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. 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. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Call (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelpline.ma.org (MA), Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 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. That's closer to how he was used in college, but he wasn't the best in coverage which could be an issue in that scheme at the next level. His hand usage can be cleaner and more coordinated, and he can stand to expand his pass-rushing arsenal.
nolan smith scouting report