2015 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Devin Smith

Nov 29, 2014; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Devin Smith (9) pulls in a pass in front of Michigan Wolverines defensive back Raymon Taylor (6) at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

My Take

Strengths: Smith isn’t your typical fast guy in that he’s physical and enjoys that part of the game. He blocks well, goes full speed at all times and doesn’t sulk when passes aren’t coming his way. Further confirming he’s not a diva, he was the best gunner in college football on his team’s punt team.

Then of course, there’s that elite speed that will rival that of Phillip Dorsett of the Miami Hurricanes. He’s expected to run a sub-4.4 40 and with that, have a vertical leap of over 40 inches that he uses well to high-point the ball. Has good hands, showed in his Senior Bowl Week that he run all kinds of routes and his experience as a gunner helps him against press coverage.

Weaknesses: The scouts must have been looking at film from prior years because there’s no problems with his hands or ability to beat press coverage. The only knock on him that I have is that we really don’t know enough about him because he wasn’t targeted much until Jones took over at quarterback.

So since he doesn’t have experience being the guy, how does he do it having the bulls-eye on his back. Once he’s known, I want to know what he does things don’t go right or he’s coming off a bad game. So with Smith, it’s more questions than anything because there are a lot of unknowns with this late riser.

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