Elerson Smith looks to be the next dominant FCS defender
In a deep pass rush class in the 2021 NFL Draft, it is easy to push FCS prospects to the backburner; this will especially be the case this season when FCS schools did not suit up this fall for the most part. However, as the saying goes, “if you can play, the NFL will find you.” Northern Iowa pass rusher Elerson Smith can play.
While he will not be mistaken for Georgia’s frightening pass rusher Azeez Ojulari or Michigan’s athletic defensive end Kwity Paye, Smith deserves the attention in his own regard. Forced to opt out of the season and declare for the draft after UNI pushed their season back to the spring, Smith is not a household name, but he may become one over the coming months.
Looking at the box score
Smith is coming off of a massive season for the Panthers of Northern Iowa, a year where he led the FCS in sacks. In 2019 as a redshirt junior, which would turn into his last year after he was forced to declare for the 2021 NFL Draft instead of playing in the spring, Smith racked up an astounding 14 sacks on the season.
Listed at 6-foot-7 and reportedly bulking up from the 245 pounds he played at a year ago, Smith brings a high upside to the NFL despite his standing as an FCS prospect. What does he bring to the next level? We break that down here in this scouting report on the massive Northern Iowa pass rusher.
Where Elerson Smith wins
Physical tools, physical tools, physical tools.
Smith just has natural tools that other edge rushers covet as he gets after quarterbacks off the edge. With extraordinary length, Smith knows how to use the vines attached to his shoulders as he plays with good leverage off the edge. He has an excellent motor, refusing to give up on a play until the whistle blows; this makes any coach smile.
Displaying his athleticism, Smith is able to work laterally extremely well down the line of scrimmage in pursuit of ball carriers. With one of the best first steps in the class, Smith has the uncanny ability to time the snap count and get a good jump off the ball. Most impressive about the seasoned game of Smith, however, is the nuance he shows in the ability to win with his hands.
Smith possesses a quick-hitting swim move along the outside track, as well as a dynamic push/pull move as he catches offensive tackles off balance. With the gifts and strengths that Smith has, however, there is plenty of room for improvement for the Northern Iowa alum. We take a look there next.
Where Smith has room for improvement
For as long as Smith is, however, his hands do not pack much of a punch when initially landing a long arm on offensive linemen across from him. When working along the inside track, Smith has the tendency to get washed down the line of scrimmage as his functional play-strength is a bit suspect. As he continues to add muscle and transform his body, Smith must prove this transitions onto the field as well.
There is room to question the level of fluidity Smith possesses in both his hips and ankles as he appears stiff along the outside track. His inability to bend around the edge and take tight corners hinders Smith’s plan of attack off the edge, leaving him a bit limited in his choices. Smith shows added room for improvement in his ability to stack counters should his initial plan of attack be stifled off the edge.
There is, however, still plenty to work with in terms of becoming a consistent NFL pass rusher from Smith as a prospect. As he begins his pre-draft process, what does the 2021 NFL Draft outlook for the former Northern Iowa pass rusher look like? We wrap up the scouting report on Elerson Smith with this discussion.
What is his 2021 NFL Draft outlook?
This writer currently has Smith graded out as an early day-three pick, with a fourth round standing. However, as everyone knows, all bets are off should he get an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine within the coming months. In fact, these coming months will be telling for the talent of Smith as he is also heading to Mobile, Alabama for the Reese’s Senior Bowl as well.
Is he a top edge rusher in the class? Absolutely not as he is beginning to battle for his standing as a day-two pick. However, the physical traits that he possesses, as well as continued body transformation will have many excited about the future of the young Panther pass rusher.
Zack Patraw of The Dynasty Draft Room is excited about the potential of Smith as well:
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"“While Smith still has yet to reach his full potential at the collegiate level, the sky is the limit for this Panther. I see someone that has the tools and, with a little more polish, could be a solid edge rusher at the next level. Would I like to see him add somewhere near 10-pounds of muscle? Sure, but with his body-type, he seemed maxed out at 245-pounds. That’s not a knock considering he plays very well at the size he is currently. All in all, Elerson Smith is a name to watch out for and someone that I currently have a mid to late day-two grade. Clearly, I’m excited about Elerson Smith.”"
Should Smith measure in and test as expected when he heads to Indianapolis, Indiana for the combine, his stock will likely soar into the second day of the 2021 NFL Draft as he has other-worldly physical traits. A big ball of clay at this point, NFL teams will be chomping at the bit to get their hands on a pass rusher as long and athletic as Smith.