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With the 44th pick in the 2015 RCF Mock Draft, the New Orleans Saints select.....
Devin Smith, WR, THE Ohio State University
Analysis
Strengths
Smooth speed merchant with instant gas off the line. Has outstanding body composure and an effortless stride. Electrifying foot quickness. Game-breaking speed with necessary feel of a downfield receiver. Tracks the throw over his shoulder and never breaks stride in the chase. Averaged 28.2 yards per catch and 54.5 percent of his catches were for 25-plus yards in 2014. Used outside and from slot. Must be matched by speed on defense or with safety over the top. Uses shoulder dip from inside release to avoid being redirected by slot corner. Speed creates uncontested targets for him underneath. Can snap off dig routes and open immediately. Good luck giving chase to Smith on a crosser or speed-out in the red zone. Might have been the best gunner in college football.
Weaknesses
Lacks natural, soft hands. Will double catch and corral throws into body. Tries to catch, turn and run before securing the throw. Shows a lack of patience in his routes. Game too heavily reliant upon speed. Must learn to be effective when deep ball is restricted by defense. Thin hips and frame. Play strength is below average. Can be frustrated by physical corners. Gets jostled and distracted when bodied hard down the field. Desire lacking as run blocker. Often taken off field and replaced when Buckeyes wanted to run out of "11" personnel.
NFL Comparison
DeSean Jackson
Bottom Line
Smith isn't just combine-fast, he's game-fast and he would have had more than 12 touchdown catches during the 2014 season if he didn't have to slow down and wait on throws so often. Smith has the feet and hips to become much more than a deep-ball specialist and should be able to step right into a gunner spot on special teams. He still needs to learn his craft and improve his hands, but he has rare speed to score from anywhere on the field.
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After using their first two picks on defensive players who can start right away, the Saints switch gears & take their first offensive player to help replace some of the weapons Drew Brees lost. Smith provides Brees with an explosive deep threat who has the tools to develop into a lot more than just that. While he's mainly just a deep threat right now, having a terrific vet QB like Brees to help him right out of the gate will only help & accelerate Smith's development.
The Minnesota Vikings and @BimboColesHair are on the clock..
Devin Smith, WR, THE Ohio State University
Analysis
Strengths
Smooth speed merchant with instant gas off the line. Has outstanding body composure and an effortless stride. Electrifying foot quickness. Game-breaking speed with necessary feel of a downfield receiver. Tracks the throw over his shoulder and never breaks stride in the chase. Averaged 28.2 yards per catch and 54.5 percent of his catches were for 25-plus yards in 2014. Used outside and from slot. Must be matched by speed on defense or with safety over the top. Uses shoulder dip from inside release to avoid being redirected by slot corner. Speed creates uncontested targets for him underneath. Can snap off dig routes and open immediately. Good luck giving chase to Smith on a crosser or speed-out in the red zone. Might have been the best gunner in college football.
Weaknesses
Lacks natural, soft hands. Will double catch and corral throws into body. Tries to catch, turn and run before securing the throw. Shows a lack of patience in his routes. Game too heavily reliant upon speed. Must learn to be effective when deep ball is restricted by defense. Thin hips and frame. Play strength is below average. Can be frustrated by physical corners. Gets jostled and distracted when bodied hard down the field. Desire lacking as run blocker. Often taken off field and replaced when Buckeyes wanted to run out of "11" personnel.
NFL Comparison
DeSean Jackson
Bottom Line
Smith isn't just combine-fast, he's game-fast and he would have had more than 12 touchdown catches during the 2014 season if he didn't have to slow down and wait on throws so often. Smith has the feet and hips to become much more than a deep-ball specialist and should be able to step right into a gunner spot on special teams. He still needs to learn his craft and improve his hands, but he has rare speed to score from anywhere on the field.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After using their first two picks on defensive players who can start right away, the Saints switch gears & take their first offensive player to help replace some of the weapons Drew Brees lost. Smith provides Brees with an explosive deep threat who has the tools to develop into a lot more than just that. While he's mainly just a deep threat right now, having a terrific vet QB like Brees to help him right out of the gate will only help & accelerate Smith's development.
The Minnesota Vikings and @BimboColesHair are on the clock..
