He approaches every play with a you cant block me mentality and I love it. The Georgia EDGE is a phenomenal run defender whos stronger than his frame suggests. 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. Among other things, Smith sometimes pops up too upright as a pass rusher. 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. Smith has admirable flexibility where he can bend around the edges or slice across the blocker to win the inside track. 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. Nolan Smith Scouting Report There is also some concern over his frame. 6-keys: media/spln/nfl/draft/free/stories, at Nolan Smith is an emotional leader on and off the field for the Georgia Bulldogs. A 5-star recruit in the 2019 class, No. Pro Football Network, LLC. Yet, he can be too reliant on bull rushes and speed-to-power moves. Smith is viewed in high regard by his teammates and coaches as a dynamic leader in the locker room. All Rights Reserved. Interestingly, run defense is where Smiths traits translate best or at least most consistently. Nolan Smith scouting report: 2023 NFL Draft profile, prospect ranking 30 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles selected Georgia EDGE Nolan Smith. 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. 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. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Neither do we. Eagles NFL Draft Target: UGA LB Nolan Smith Scouting Report 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 power rushes can be easily absorbed and neutralized by stronger blockers. Nolan Smith NFL Draft Player Profile: Scouting Report, Stats for Georgia ED Written by B/R NFL Draft Scout Matt Holder. Positives. 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. Support NJ.com, Brian Fonseca | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. With the Chargers having needs at various positions, we will do our best to evaluate the players that we feel fit the team precisely. Note: This profile will be updated as more. 6.4. Smith is viewed in high regard by his teammates and coaches as a dynamic leader in the locker room. The Philadelphia Eagles picked up a second former Georgia star by selecting Nolan Smith with the 30th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. All Rights Reserved. Though his stature will make him a difficult projection for some teams, other talent evaluators will see a position-fluid defender who can rush the passer as well chase down ball carriers in all areas of the field. Was Eagles-Bears trade that netted Jalen Carter at 9 a win-win trade? 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. Lacks pop due to his smaller size to anchor, though. 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Nolan Smith - walterfootball.com 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. He should not go lower than early in Round 2. 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. Long story short, he has very few flaws against the run and has the upside to be even better with some added mass. Could afford to add some weight to help him hold ground against base blocks from the bigger and elite NFL offensive tackles. Ferocious against the run and very good in coverage, is extremely versatile. Here is everything you need to know about the ultra-athletic Bulldogs defender. 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. Smith has an unconventional body type for an NFL. Smith is a former five-star recruit and finalist for the Anthony Munoz Lineman of the Year award as a senior. He has an excellent feel for working off blockers and knowing how and when to counter as the play goes on. Projecting to his third year, Smith can be a full-time edge defender that will not come off the field. Weight-238 lbs. NFL Draft 2023: Scouting report on Eagles pick Nolan Smith The Philadelphia Eagles currently hold two first-round picks . He played in 11 games as a freshman and 10 more as a sophomore before moving into a starting role during his junior year. Eagles select Nolan Smith at No. 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. Georgia 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports Include Kearis Jackson, Nolan Nolan Smith Scouting Report - Draft Dive His punches land with the power to shock blockers but shedding is still a work in progress. 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. 21+ (18+ NH/WY). 35) round out the quintet. (93%*), 4.39 (C) 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. His punches land with the power to shock blockers but shedding is still a work in progress. Can attack the edge with speed and has the flexibility to dip low and under the tackle's reach. And for a large chunk of the 2022 season, he lived up to the hype, amassing three sacks, seven tackles for loss, and a pass deflection in eight games. A 5-star recruit in the 2019 class, No. A potential first-rounder who is somewhat under the radar due to an injury, this Georgia Bulldog brings some impressive snarl in a smaller package. But his athletic traits lend him impressive pass-rushing upside as well. Hes dynamic, well-built, and he interviews well. 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. Luke Stampini Recruiting . The Georgia product does have a few traits and moves in his pass-rush arsenal that he can win with on passing downs, though. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. 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). According to the NFL Mock Draft Database, Smith looks likely to come off the board on Day 1. Fresh off helping Georgia secure back-to-back championships, outside linebacker Nolan Smith has departed for the 2023 NFL Draft. He could afford to push vertical more on the tackle to help sell the game. Working on the consistency of his use of hands to defeat the offensive lineman's hands will allow him to grow in that department. News never stops. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. His brand of athleticism would normally bill him as a special pass-rushing threat because he has hyper-elite burst and bend capacity. 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. Smith has a tough, proactive mentality in run defense and isnt afraid to square up larger blockers. Below is a comprehensive draft profile for Smith, including his high school and college accolades, scouting report and NFL prospect outlook. Nolan Smith Draft and Combine Prospect Profile | NFL.com Glenn Erby. He was an elite athlete with a sturdy frame, oozing first-round potential. 9 overall pick. He brings a level of energy that is not easily replicated. 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. PFNs FREE Mock Draft Simulator (With Trades). If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. 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. 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. Nolan Smith in Mock Drafts. Edge-rusher Nolan Smith (No. As a result, Smith is a difficult task to block in the run game, especially for tight ends. Nolan Smith arrived at Georgia as one of the top recruits in the country in 2019 and played immediately as a pass-rush specialist. An enticing blend of size and athleticism, One of the most physical players in college football, A two-way defender, impactful versus the run and pass, Can be viewed as a tweener/hybrid defender without a defined role, Hand-to-hand combat skills need improvement, : Attacking/slanting assignments in an odd front, : Oregon (2022), South Carolina (2022), Auburn (2022), Missouri (2022), Tradeable picks in the Mock Draft Machine. Sign up to receive all the latest news and annoucements. 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 | Takes on blocks with a wide base and is stronger than his 235-pound frame would suggest to hold his ground versus offensive tackles. Not very effective in line games as the looper or penetrator. However, recovering from a torn pec might scare some of these teams off. 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. 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. Good bend to turn a tight corner and take an efficient path to the quarterback. Lastly, Smith has proven he can identify screens and shade out into coverage with his lateral athleticism, and he has more than enough speed to close gaps in this phase. And his non-elite length is a limitation thats here to stay. The Philadelphia Eagles picked up a second former Georgia star by selection Nolan Smith with the 30th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. OVERALL DRAFT SCORE: 87. Detroit Lions NFL scouting report Georgia Bulldogs Nolan Smith - Sports Despite his build, Smith holds up well in traffic and makes a lot of plays by engaging a block, shedding, and pursuing. Nolan Smith RAS Strengths Smith's best attribute is his raw athleticism and speed off of the line. Nolan Smith Linebacker - EDGE Georgia | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report 9 overall pick, beginning with the 62nd overall selection. He is explosive, agile, and a DAWG, and therefore he is a menace when he is at his best. Smith navigates through blocking assignments as well and is persistent in his pursuit of the ball carrier. In his limited time last season, he wracked up three sacks and nineteen total pressures. 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. (42%*), 9 The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz breaks down Giannis postgame comments following the Bucks first-round exit vs. the Heat. That being said, he does have good athleticism to flush that part of his game out. However, few, if any, prospects have the same athleticism, bend, and size-relative strength that Smith has. NFL Draft Profile: Philadelphia Eagles Select Georgia EDGE Nolan Smith Smith is unofficially listed at 6'3", 235 lbs. Hes a dense, compact defender who can shock blockers at the point of attack with precise and forceful hands. 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 . 8 overall pick to the Falcons. That being said, he is unrefined with his hands to effectively defeat pass blocks with optimal quickness. He did get more accurate with his hands from year-to-year, showing growth in that area. Smith doesnt have a full set of moves and counters to employ consistently. When Walker, Davis, Wyatt, and Lewis Cine all left in the 2022 NFL Draft, Smith became the Georgia defenses premier playmaker. For the second time in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Eagles went with a key member of the two-time defending national champions. While he did not blow up the stat sheet by any means, he was a key contributor to the dominant back-to-back national champion Georgia defense despite missing the conclusion of the 2022 season with a torn pec. Heres ProFootballFocus report on Smith: The No. 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. Hes also proven to be a pretty good football player while at Georgia, though not necessarily in the expected way. While Smiths arsenal is still in progress, he can effectively build off lateral bursts with quick swipes. 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. 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. Becoming more technical with his hands to deconstruct and shed blocks can unlock his full potential at the next level. 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. When slanting against the run, he covers so much ground laterally that he doesn't have to tip it with pre-snap alignment. He could afford to push vertical more on the tackle to help sell the game. Due to his stellar run defense, Smith projects as a potential three-down defender in year one. 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. Eventual Starter. Height-6022. Despite being an impressive elite athlete - his production as a pass rusher has only been decent. Has some injury concerns - has missed time in both 2021 and 2022, He may need to be covered up to be effective and can be neutralized by running at him, Smith's hand usage will need be cleaner and more coordinated, He relies far too much on speed and doesn't have a complete set of pass-rushing moves, He's overly reliant on bull rushes - dominates smaller college players. 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). 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. 5-Star recruit per 247 Sports. Nolan Smith Scouting Report - Draft Dive Spotlight Nolan Smith Scouting Report 0 2022 nfl draft Georgia Bulldogs Georgia LB Georgia Linebacker NFL Draft 2022 NFL Draft sleeper Nolan Smith Nolan Smith Draft Nolan Smith NFL Nolan Smith NFL Draft . Will not work to the same way at the next level, Trouble stacking counters with initial moves, Struggles with momentum when met by bigger stronger linemen. Smith is more flexible and more amped-up as an athlete, but his leaner frame may require a longer acclimation period in the NFL. 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 also be lethal when slanting with how quick and agile he is to throw off blockers' angels and get penetration. section: | slug: nolan-smith-nfl-draft-2023-scouting-report-prospect-ranking-recruiting-profile-more-about-georgia-edge | sport: football | route: article_single_special | 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. Needs to be more consistent with the accuracy of his hand swipes when starting pass-rush moves. Who will Panthers face in second round of 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs? Impressive change of direction and quickness to win with inside and outside stick moves. Please check your email for a confirmation. Today, I take a look at Georgia edge defender Nolan Smith. . 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". Becoming more technical with his hands to deconstruct and shed blocks can unlock his full potential at the next level. Nolan Smith is a 6-3, 232-pound Weak-Side Defensive End from Savannah, GA. . Is it ever too early to start talking about next year's draft? Naturally, Smith fell under the radar for a bit. Has produced just 9 sacks over the last two years, despite being the number one edge rusher on the top defense in the country. 2023 NFL Draft: Jordan Davis reunites wtih Nolan Smith, Jalen Carter 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. Chargers 2023 NFL draft target: Georgia EDGE Nolan Smith 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. He employs effortless leverage acquisition in run defense and can combine pad level and agility with violent hand usage to deconstruct blocks. 1 recruit of the 2019 class, Smith has been a highly touted prospect for quite some time. Hes overly reliant on his first step, length, and power to overcome opponents, which can limit his ceiling to the next level. 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. How will his scouting report evolve between now and April?. However, he's certainly a run-first player, which has a distinct impact on his get-off in rushing situations. There is a bit of a disconnect between Smiths buzz as a prospect and his on-field production. He has always been viewed as a project who possesses rare speed and athleticism for an edge defender.

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