With The First Pick
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Sean Smith Will Bounce Back Against the Atlanta Falcons

By Carl Cockerham

Sep 11, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks (10) runs past Oakland Raiders defensive back Reggie Nelson (27) and defensive back Sean Smith (21) and outside linebacker Ben Heeney (50) for a 98 yard touchdown during the third quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Raiders defeated the Saints 35-34. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks (10) runs past Oakland Raiders defensive back Reggie Nelson (27) and defensive back Sean Smith (21) and outside linebacker Ben Heeney (50) for a 98 yard touchdown during the third quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Raiders defeated the Saints 35-34. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 6, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Atlanta Falcons 23-19. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Atlanta Falcons 23-19. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Better Matchup

The Raiders are playing at home against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Superstar receiver Julio Jones is coming to town, giving Smith a much better matchup than he had last week. Yes, Jones is better and much more proven than Cooks and Snead.

At 6’3″, 220 pounds, Jones is physically dominant with great strength, long arms, and a great vertical leap. Jones also has great speed but he’s not quite as fast as Cooks. And he’s definitely not as slippery and sudden as Cooks or Snead.

Jones mainly depends on his frame and physicality to go up and get the ball over a corner. But that’s what Smith defends best as he is also 6’3″, 220 pounds with extra long arms. He’s also very physical at the line of scrimmage when he gets his hands on you.

And for a man that size, he is fast like Jones but neither of them have the track speed Cooks has. I feel funny saying this but this is going to be a physical matchup between Smith and Jones. Corners like Smith were made to play against receivers line Jones.

Next: Pass Rush

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