Nolan Smith Georgia EDGE NFL Draft scouting report He's likely going to have trouble with pressure on first and second downs as he won't be able to win with speed getting off the ball so late and struggles to collapse the pocket as a bull-rusher. Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA (select parishes)/MA/MD/MI/NH/NJ/NY/OH/OR/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. News never stops. 26) and safety Christopher Smith (No. 1 overall, No. 6-keys: media/spln/nfl/draft/free/stories, at 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 . Nolan Smith is a 6-3, 232-pound Weak-Side Defensive End from Savannah, GA. . Grade. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. However, the Georgia EDGE can be stonewalled by linemen without proper momentum. Despite being an impressive elite athlete - his production as a pass rusher has only been decent. Nolan Smith scouting report: 2023 NFL Draft profile, prospect ranking Nolan Smith NFL Draft Scouting Report. Naturally, Smith fell under the radar for a bit. In the right scheme and role, he could be a true defensive catalyst with more time to grow. Due to his stellar run defense, Smith projects as a potential three-down defender in year one. Smith hopes to get selected just as highly as he enters the 2023 NFL draft. 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. Note: This profile will be updated as more information becomes available. In 38 career games, the speedy Smith totaled 12.5 sacks, 20 TFLs and 110 total tackles while forcing three fumbles and breaking up three passes. Kirby Smart didnt stumble on his abundance of defensive talent by accident. The Georgia EDGE is a phenomenal run defender whos stronger than his frame suggests. Form tackler, good pad level, wraps up and runs his feet through contact. Nolan Smith (LB - Georgia) 6'3 - 235 lbs. However, few, if any, prospects have the same athleticism, bend, and size-relative strength that Smith has. Smith has experience rushing from two and three-point stances, but he appears most comfortable playing in a two-point stance. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2023 Draft Network. His brand of athleticism would normally bill him as a special pass-rushing threat because he has hyper-elite burst and bend capacity. 30 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. His first step, when used properly, can propel him upfield and into action quickly. He'd often cover grass in zone coverage and would struggle to stay in phase versus tight ends in man. But if you have a vision for his role and development at the next level, the tools are almost second to none. When Walker, Davis, Wyatt, and Lewis Cine all left in the 2022 NFL Draft, Smith became the Georgia defenses premier playmaker. He played in 11 games as a freshman and 10 more as a sophomore before moving into a starting role during his junior year. 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. Once the top-ranked recruit coming out of high school, Smith saw immediate action upon arrival in Athens. Georgia 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports Include Kearis Jackson, Nolan The Philadelphia Eagles picked up a second former Georgia star by selection Nolan Smith with the 30th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. he develops in the pass-rush department. 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: EDGE Nolan Smith, Georgia 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. 9 overall pick. 20th-ranked prospect of all-time. 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. Comments are closed. He's not going to miss many tackles. One area of his game that could improve is his overall strength and turning speed to power in his rush. Personally, I have a fringe top-50 grade on Smith. Lets dive in and discuss. Not very effective in line games as the looper or penetrator. 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. Odds and lines subject to change. the full scouting report for Smith on NFL Draft Bible, previously picked Jalen Carter with the No. 5-Star recruit per 247 Sports. Full List of Georgia Players Drafted in Each Round of 2023 NFL Draft Smith has first-round athletic ability, and its very reasonable to consider him within the top 31 picks. 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. Hes overly reliant on his first step, length, and power to overcome opponents, which can limit his ceiling to the next level. He has always been viewed as a project who possesses rare speed and athleticism for an edge defender. He brings a level of energy that is not easily replicated. The Georgia native shows good change of direction and first-step quickness." With the Chargers having needs at various positions, we will do our best to evaluate the players that we feel fit the team precisely. Nolan Smith Linebacker - EDGE Georgia | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report The Philadelphia Eagles currently hold two first-round picks . Here is everything you need to know about the ultra-athletic Bulldogs defender. Please check your email for a confirmation. All rights reserved (About Us). Smith is more flexible and more amped-up as an athlete, but his leaner frame may require a longer acclimation period in the NFL. Relative Athletic Score places him with a 9.24 composite out of 10 thanks to remarkable times in the 40-yard dash (4.39 seconds), vertical leap (41.5 inches), and broad jump (10-foot-8). If you buy something from an SB Nation link, Vox Media may earn a commission. 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. 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. Nolan Smith EDGE - Scouting Report - Belly Up Sports Long story short, he has very few flaws against the run and has the upside to be even better with some added mass. Even after a long career at Georgia, Smith is still more of a projection than one would prefer. Impact upper tier Power 5 starter and No. We would love to see this progression continue into the NFL, as he has the physical tools to become an elite defensive player, whether hes coming off the edge or slotted at linebacker. He's violent when shedding and has shown flashes of using his quickness to defeat blocks, too. Smiths projection is different from those who came before him, but with his explosive athleticism and exciting upside, he could be a game-changer in the NFL. He has a very accurate. His athleticism is shown when asked to drop into coverage even in small instances but he does not look like a fish out of water. Having an edge defender that can drop into coverage, stuff the run, and get after the passer cannot be undervalued. Eagles NFL Draft Target: UGA LB Nolan Smith Scouting Report 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. Nolan Smith Draft and Combine Prospect Profile | NFL.com Smith compared well with Reddick as an edge rusher. And his non-elite length is a limitation thats here to stay. Nolan Smith projects as an important rotational EDGE early in his career, with the upside to quickly become a starter in a "multiple" defense. When slanting against the run, he covers so much ground laterally that he doesn't have to tip it with pre-snap alignment. 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. His impact was obviously felt early on, even on a defense with multiple NFL draft picks. 1 overall recruit in the 2019 class. And in the right hands, he can be an invaluable defensive piece. Check out Nolan Smith's full 247Sports profile, here. He kept that primary role in his four years with the Bulldogs, becoming a full-time starter in 2021. Smith makes up for his undersized stature with great technique, playing with low pad level and consistently winning inside hand placement to stand up tackles and control the point of attack.". No. At the same time, he is exceptionally raw. He has the explosiveness to quickly throttle up and pierce through gaps, and hes a springy mover in tight spaces. His elite athleticism can buoy a drastic ascent as a pass-rushing threat, both one-on-one against tackles and as a blitzer. DO YOUR OWN 2024 MOCK DRAFT BY CLICKING HERE (or clicking Start A Mock Draft from your account page). Games watched: Alabama 2021 (SEC Title), Oregon 2022, South Carolina 2022 . He's likely going to have trouble with pressure on first and second downs as he won't be able to win with speed getting off the ball so late and struggles to collapse the pocket as a bull-rusher. Even with his frame, he plays with violence and urgency, has excellent leverage acquisition, and uses his explosive athleticism and flexibility to dominate in congested areas. As he heads to the NFL, will professional evaluators have the same lofty opinion of his potential? While the Georgia EDGE has immense untapped potential, he also has visible room for improvement there. Going further, Smiths length, while not a liability, is average. 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. 18 overall, though his relative lack of production probably limits his interest from Detroit. *Percentile calculated on how any given stat would rank at the NFL combine 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. With his twitch, Smith can generate ample short-area momentum with little strain, force tackles to overset, and capitalize with his instant burst. Smith is a very impressive athlete with excellent playing strength for his size. Lateral Quickness ( 2.5/4) - I don't see a ton of lateral quickness ability. The Philadelphia Eagles picked up a second former Georgia star by selecting Nolan Smith with the 30th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. By Tom Ignudo. Written by B/R NFL Draft Scout Matt Holder. Follow all of your favorite Michigan teams at Lions Wire, Wolverines Wire, Spartans Wire and the Detroit Free Press! However, recovering from a torn pec might scare some of these teams off. 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. Stats: 110 tackles, 63 solo, 12.5 sacks, 20.0 tackles for loss,1 interception, 3 passes defended, 3 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery. He could afford to push vertical more on the tackle to help sell the game. Heres a scouting report on Smith from NFL.coms Lance Zierlein: Lower weight class edge defender with the toughness to mix it up with bigger players. There is also some concern over his frame. He adds an additional layer in pass coverage as well, where his speed and length take over once more; Smith can fairly reliably drop into coverage with backs and tight ends. 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. Brian Fonseca may be reached at bfonseca@njadvancemedia.com. Needs to be more consistent with the accuracy of his hand swipes when starting pass-rush moves. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Furthermore, he doesnt always play to his full explosive capacity off the line. 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. But even more important in his competitive makeup is his natural leverage. Nolan Smith, Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and Nakobe Dean are always together, but on Thursday night, they were officially reunited in a business capacity . Glenn Erby. Check out the SI.com team page here. 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. Fourth-year senior. (AP Photo/John Amis). Smith has admirable flexibility where he can bend around the edges or slice across the blocker to win the inside track. 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). 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. A fully-developed Smith can be a dangerous weapon to deploy off the edge versus opposing offenses. According to NFL Mock Draft Database, Smith is a projected first-round pick. (with WWEs Corey Graves). He could play as a standup outside linebacker on odd fronts, too. Howie Roseman and company moved up one selection in a trade with the Chicago Bears to secure perhaps the most talented player in the 2023 NFL Draft class. A 5-star recruit in the 2019 class, No. His power rushes can be easily absorbed and neutralized by stronger blockers. Production Score: 72. There is also an inherent injury risk as well with Smith coming off a pec injury. Support NJ.com, Brian Fonseca | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. Smith has an explosive first step to threaten offensive tackles outside shoulders. And that same athleticism can allow Smith to be a space defender, as well as destroy outside gaps in run defense. Want even more Philadelphia Eagles news? On passing downs, he times up the snap well and has good acceleration off the ball to win with speed. 8 overall pick to the Falcons. All Rights Reserved. If you have a list of boxes to check, Smith checks most of them. 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. And it all started to come together for him over the last two seasons at Georgia after grading below 70.0 in each of his first two college seasons, he earned overall grades of 85.0 (2021) and 83.7 (2022) to finish his career. List of teams that have advanced to second round of 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Updated bracket heading into second round of 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, How to watch Avalanche vs. Kraken in Game 7 of first round in 2023 NHL Playoffs via live stream, Kings outlook heading into 2023 offseason, Everything you need to know for Warriors vs. Lakers in the second round of 2023 NBA playoffs. The defensive standout projects as an early round selection. "Smith has a relatively thin frame, which may limit his contributions at the point of attack. 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. 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. Georgia 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports Include Kearis Jackson, Nolan Smith, and Stetson Bennett With the potential of four Georgia NFL Draft prospects going in the first round, what is the full slate of scouting reports for their players this year? Edge-rusher Nolan Smith (No. 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. Eligibility restrictions apply. Smith can easily get under blockers and inside their torso, using that positioning to control reps. March 6, 2023 12:33 pm CT. Below is a list of mock drafts and where they have Smith going. His punches land with the power to shock blockers but shedding is still a work in progress. 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. Smith will always try to plow into the largest piles and has a good knack of ending up glued to the ballcarrier. With his lighter, shorter frame, Smiths margin for error with the little details is smaller. . The temptation in taking a player like Nolan Smith lies in his size, speed, and athleticism. 3:23 pm ET, Cowboys NFL Draft hub: Full list of picks, team fits, 2023 NFL Draft: Best prospects available in Round 5, Greatness is guaranteed when LeBron, Steph clash, Looking ahead to No. Lacks pop due to his smaller size to anchor, though. Didn't look comfortable dropping into coverage. 1 overall, No. One year after a historic 2022 NFL Draft class, the Georgia Bulldogs are once again poised to dominate Round 1, and standout EDGE Nolan Smith is a crucial part of that development. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Ryan Wilsons CBS Sports mock draft from last weekend has him going 30th overall to the Eagles. This never got better during his time at Georgia, which is concerning. The Georgia product does have a few traits and moves in his pass-rush arsenal that he can win with on passing downs, though. Athleticism Score: 98. According to the NFL Mock Draft Database, Smith looks likely to come off the board on Day 1. Smith is hard to move off of his spot due to his technique and leverage, and he can be disruptive when firing into gaps. 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. Nolan Smith is one of the most enticing prospects in this draft. Could afford to add some weight to help him hold ground against base blocks from the bigger and elite NFL offensive tackles. You can view the full scouting report for Smith on NFL . Smith had seven tackles for a loss and three sacks over eight games in his final collegiate season. video for Is there really no failure in sports? 13), offensive tackle Broderick Jones (No. Has an excellent skip move to win around the edge. Smith could emerge as a more impactful pass rusher in the same position James Houston currently occupies. historically in the player's position group (Higher value represents better perfomance). And if he goes to a good developmental coaching staff, he could be a Pro Bowler one day. Lions 2023 NFL draft profile: Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia Smith is very quick to reduce the space between him and the tackle. He currently ranks as the 18th overall prospect on the consensus big board and regularly features in the middle of Round 1 in mocks. Not very effective in line games as the looper or penetrator. He can also pinch incredibly tight angles with his ankle flexion and accelerate through to invade the pocket. While he is not fully developed as a pass rusher, there are clear signs of potential in his unreal speed for his size and frame that will be up to the right team to unlock. Smith navigates through blocking assignments as well and is persistent in his pursuit of the ball carrier. Takes on blocks with a wide base and is stronger than his 235-pound frame would suggest to hold his ground versus offensive tackles. Here is a comprehensive scouting report . Weight: 238 pounds (Combine measurement) Smith is 22 years old. 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. --CBS Sports NFL Draft analyst Josh Edwards (Oct. 4). Georgia Bulldogs Football Nolan Smith NFL Draft 2023: Scouting Report for Georgia Edge BR NFL Scouting Department Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/Getty Images HEIGHT: 6'2" WEIGHT: 238 HAND:. Georgia. Author: The NFL Draft Bible. Nolan Smith Scouting Report 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. 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. Sign up for the The Draft Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. Nolan Smith, Georgia, Edge - 247Sports He applied pressure on roughly 21.9% of his pass rush attempts in 2020, 10.9% in 2021, and 18.3% in 2022. Pro Football Network, LLC. 2023 NFL Draft Preview: Scouting report on Georgia edge Nolan Smith
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