Patriots: 3 Joe Thuney replacements in 2021 NFL Draft

Round 2: Trey Smith, Tennessee

A former five-star and top overall national recruit, Tennessee’s Trey Smith projects as a guard with the potential to contribute on the outside at the next level.  While such a guard/tackle designation might not serve to differentiate Smith from prospects with similar pedigrees among the 2021 NFL Draft’s class of interior offensive linemen, his demonstrated on-field performance between the white lines at each position likely does.

Smith’s collegiate career speaks to a prodigious level of positional versatility, and a willingness to change positions along the offensive line in response to where he is judged to be most needed in order to help his team.  Smith was put to work quickly after his arrival in Knoxville, starting each game as a true freshman and receiving Freshman All-American honors for his efforts.  However, he would kick inside as an upperclassman to play the guard position for the Volunteers, earning first-team All-SEC honors in his junior and senior seasons.

At 6-foot-5, 330 pounds, with arm length that appears to reach the required threshold for an NFL tackle, Smith’s experience on the outside should enhance his positioning among league teams, even as they might view him as something of an ideal guard prospect.