That being said, he does have good athleticism to flush that part of his game out. Nolan Smith (LB - Georgia) 6'3 - 235 lbs. Named one of three team captains for the Vanderbilt game. By Tom Ignudo. In his limited time last season, he wracked up three sacks and nineteen total pressures. Smith has admirable flexibility where he can bend around the edges or slice across the blocker to win the inside track. Philadelphia selected Georgia linebacker Nolan Smith with the 30th pick of the draft on Thursday after choosing his teammate, defensive tackle Jalen Carter, with the ninth pick earlier in the night. April 30, 2023 5:06 pm ET. (93%*), 4.39 (C) However, he's certainly a run-first player, which has a distinct impact on his get-off in rushing situations. Heres a scouting report on Smith from NFL.coms Lance Zierlein: Lower weight class edge defender with the toughness to mix it up with bigger players. He is explosive, agile, and a DAWG, and therefore he is a menace when he is at his best. Didn't look comfortable dropping into coverage. 2023 NFL Draft: Nolan Smith scouting report Teams will be betting big that they can unlock the talent of Smith, who has yet to emerge as the top pass rusher his athletic charts say he can be. New Orleans Saints 2023 NFL draft scouting report: EDGE Nolan Smith. Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA (select parishes)/MA/MD/MI/NH/NJ/NY/OH/OR/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Weight-238 lbs. Lateral Quickness ( 2.5/4) - I don't see a ton of lateral quickness ability. One of the holdovers from the 2021 Georgia defense, can edge rusher Nolan Smith crack Round 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft with his scouting report? His hand usage can be cleaner and more coordinated, and he can stand to expand his pass-rushing arsenal. The Georgia product does have a few traits and moves in his pass-rush arsenal that he can win with on passing downs, though. Youve now completed your Big Board, but if you want to save it youll need to become a TDN Premium member. By Tony Pauline April 19, 2023 More than anything, Smith needs to keep refining his pass-rushing ability. Nolan Smith is an edge rusher who lacks the bulk to hold up blockers or walk them back. He could afford to push vertical more on the tackle to help sell the game. Georgia 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports Include Kearis Jackson, Nolan Smith, and Stetson Bennett With the potential of four Georgia NFL Draft prospects going in the first round, what is the full slate of scouting reports for their players this year? https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2023/04/09/nolan-smith-scouting-report-2023-nfl-draft-profile/, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy, Very sudden off the snap with an excellent 1-2 step burst, Outstanding athletic testing: 4.39 40-yard dash, 41.5 vertical, Plays stronger than his size would indicate, Aggressive edge-setter versus the run who can anchor and stand up blockers with his leverage, Has spatial awareness and decent instincts when dropping into coverage, Good at getting off blocks and closing on the ball carrier in run defense, Can work in concert with linemen and reacts quickly when given an opportunity to play off those inside moves, Excelled on special teams early in his Georgia career, Extremely undersized to be a full-time EDGE in the NFL and will almost have to play as a stand-up, wide-aligned OLB to rush the passer, Short arms (32) limit his tackle radius and wrapping ability, Doesnt play to his timed speed consistently, Relies on initial jolting power to create space for himself, must develop countermoves and more variety, Some tightness in his hips and ankles in turning the corner and in open-field pursuit, Coming off a torn pectoral muscle that required surgery, Low college production for such an athlete with talent around him to get him isolated blocking looks. Smith delivered a stellar follow-up campaign, registering seven tackles for loss and three sacks as Georgia went undefeated. historically in the player's position group (Higher value represents better perfomance). However, recovering from a torn pec might scare some of these teams off. He has an excellent feel for working off blockers and knowing how and when to counter as the play goes on. Support NJ.com, Brian Fonseca | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. Smith has a tough, proactive mentality in run defense and isnt afraid to square up larger blockers. Most notably, he flashes elite bend capacity a foundational trait that not many edge defenders have in elite quantities. If you have a list of boxes to check, Smith checks most of them. (96%*), Drafted: ROUND: 1 - Pick Number: 30 (PHI), (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance), Courtesy of NFL Draft Buzz contributor Steven Wright, SAN DIEGO COUNTY CREDIT UNION HOLIDAY BOWL, Started at LB in eight games and had 18 total tackles and a team-high 16 QB hurries before going down with an injury in the Florida game, Three tackles, one for lost yardage, in win over Auburn, Had two unassisted tackles and a team-high three QB hurries in the season-opening win over No. Was Eagles-Bears trade that netted Jalen Carter at 9 a win-win trade? But right now, hes still relatively underdeveloped as a hand fighter. But he triumphantly announced his return at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, logging a 4.39 40-yard dash, 41.5 vertical, and a 108 broad jump at his size. OVERALL DRAFT SCORE: 87. Working on the consistency of his use of hands to defeat the offensive lineman's hands will allow him to grow in that department. Nolan Smith arrived at Georgia as one of the top recruits in the country in 2019 and played immediately as a pass-rush specialist. As a pass rusher, Smith uses his next-level speed to scream into offensive linemen and has enough bend to slip by blockers for immediate pressure. We would love to see this progression continue into the NFL, as he has the physical tools to become an elite defensive player, whether hes coming off the edge or slotted at linebacker. I appreciate the ferocity he plays with because that is not a teachable traityou either have it or you dont. His elite athleticism can buoy a drastic ascent as a pass-rushing threat, both one-on-one against tackles and as a blitzer. Nolan Smith is a highly touted edge rusher from the University of Georgia who is expected to be a top prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft. Smith continues a run of former Georgia Bulldogs being drafted to the Eagles, joining Carter, Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean over the past two classes. Working on the consistency of his use of hands to defeat the offensive lineman's hands will allow him to grow in that department. 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: EDGE Nolan Smith, Georgia 24 overall. No. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Run defense can be an area of concern for smaller EDGE prospects, but its a massive strength for Smith, and his athleticism translates extremely well in pursuit. Chargers 2023 NFL draft target: Georgia EDGE Nolan Smith Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Works to get to square during the stem phase of a rush to give himself a two-way go and has a nice hesitation/skip move to win around the edge. Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia | NFL Draft Scouting Report Comments are closed. 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Nolan Smith - walterfootball.com He does not have a wide pass-rushing toolbox, but he makes up for that with the ability to overwhelm with pure speed, strength, and flexibility. 1 WDE, per 247Sports composite rating. (57%*), 81 Check out Nolan Smith's full 247Sports profile, here. While the Georgia EDGE has immense untapped potential, he also has visible room for improvement there. the full scouting report for Smith on NFL Draft Bible, previously picked Jalen Carter with the No. Smith is a former five-star recruit and finalist for the Anthony Munoz Lineman of the Year award as a senior. Smith compared well with Reddick as an edge rusher. Check out the SI.com team page here. Nolan Smith, Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and Nakobe Dean are always together, but on Thursday night, they were officially reunited in a business capacity . Smith hopes to get selected. His athleticism is shown when asked to drop into coverage even in small instances but he does not look like a fish out of water. Nolan Smith EDGE - Scouting Report - Belly Up Sports All rights reserved (About Us). Smith was arguably their greatest addition. That's closer to how he was used in college, but he wasn't the best in coverage which could be an issue in that scheme at the next level. Smith doesnt have the great raw power that his teammate Travon Walker a similarly raw prospect coming out had in the 2022 cycle. He adds an additional layer in pass coverage as well, where his speed and length take over once more; Smith can fairly reliably drop into coverage with backs and tight ends. He gets extension against offensive linemen pretty easily and will occasionally have them falling on their faces with how violent he is when shedding. Doesn't have a ton of power behind his bull rush and doesn't work to get on an edge to collapse the pocket against offensive tackles. Will not work to the same way at the next level, Trouble stacking counters with initial moves, Struggles with momentum when met by bigger stronger linemen. Positives. See terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. The Athletic recently projected Smith to the Houston Texans with the No. Already, Smith is a high-level run defender. Not very effective in line games as the looper or penetrator. Naturally, Smith fell under the radar for a bit. The Georgia EDGE can make better use of attack angles coming downhill and can also be more consistent in attaining proper depth before attacking the pocket. Note: This profile will be updated as more. Injuries: 2021 (elbow, missed one game), 2022 (torn pec, season-ending surgery and missed every game after Week 9), Arrested for driving with a suspended license and speeding through a construction zone (misdemeanor) in January 2022, completed pre-trail diversion program in lieu of formal conviction, 2022 Honors: Second-team preseason All-American (Athlon Sports), 2021 Honors: Two-time SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week (Weeks 3 and 9), 2019 Honors: Georgia's Co-Defensive Newcomer of the Year. Brian Fonseca may be reached at bfonseca@njadvancemedia.com. His impact was obviously felt early on, even on a defense with multiple NFL draft picks. The Eagles will be back on the clock Friday night, beginning with the 62nd overall selection, which will be the 31st pick in the second round. See our ethics statement. On passing downs, he times up the snap well and has good acceleration off the ball to win with speed. Smith is unrefined, almost predictably boring, as a pass rusher, because he doesnt use his speed or explosion effectively. 1 . The Georgia EDGE is a phenomenal run defender whos stronger than his frame suggests. Eagles NFL Draft Target: UGA LB Nolan Smith Scouting Report Nolan Smith NFL Draft 2023: Scouting report, prospect ranking He can also be lethal when slanting with how quick and agile he is to throw off blockers' angels and get penetration. He is overly reliant on outright talent to win matchups and lacks a versatile pass rush toolbox that he will need to be a dominant edge rusher in the NFL. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. Eagles select Nolan Smith with 30th pick in 2023 NFL Draft Has an excellent skip move to win around the edge. Yet another talented edge rusher from the elite Georgia defense, Nolan Smith will look to prove he is as good as the other Bulldog defenders drafted before him. Nolan Smith arrived at Georgia as one of the top recruits in the country in 2019 and played immediately as a pass-rush specialist. He will need to work with trainers to fill out his frame and add some play strength while he is at it. He throws off the offensive lineman's angle while simultaneously dipping his shoulder to reduce the surface area to block, getting the lineman off-balance so he can get penetration. He did get more accurate with his hands from year-to-year, showing growth in that area. On passing downs, he times up the snap well and has good acceleration off the ball to win with speed. While he did not blow up the stat sheet by any means, he was a key contributor to the dominant back-to-back national champion Georgia defense despite missing the conclusion of the 2022 season with a torn pec. There is a bit of a disconnect between Smiths buzz as a prospect and his on-field production. Hes very good in coverage when looking into the backfield in zone coverage. Edge-rusher Nolan Smith (No. Smith joined up with the Bulldogs and quickly saw the field. Nolan Smith is a highly touted edge rusher from the University of Georgia who is expected to be a top prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft. Eagles Select EDGE Nolan Smith with No. 30 Pick in NFL Draft He kept that primary role in his four years with the Bulldogs, becoming a full-time starter in 2021. Below is a comprehensive draft profile for Smith, including his high school and college accolades, scouting report and NFL prospect outlook. Georgia edge rusher Nolan Smith was taken by the Philadelphia Eagles with the No. The New Orleans Saints got back into the first round of the 2023 NFL draft, and have a wide range of ways that they could go with their selection. Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports. Smith is viewed in high regard by his teammates and coaches as a dynamic leader in the locker room. Off the jump, it is clear that Nolan Smith is immensely talented, with a height/weight/speed combination that is rare to find coming into the league. He will make his impact felt as a run defender and earn his keep, as he develops in the pass-rush department. Going further, Smiths length, while not a liability, is average. There are not many human beings walking around that look like him that can do the things he does from an athletic standpoint, and it is worth the risk should he develop into maximizing those gifts. Smith was the No. *Percentile calculated on how any given stat would rank at the NFL combine Smith doesnt have a full set of moves and counters to employ consistently. A potential first-rounder who is somewhat under the radar due to an injury, this Georgia Bulldog brings some impressive snarl in a smaller package. He brings a level of energy that is not easily replicated. Smith hopes to get selected just as highly as he enters the 2023 NFL draft. He plays with good awareness, as hes able to read option plays effectively, follow the ball, and adapt accordingly. He will make his impact felt as a run defender and earn his keep, as. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2023 Draft Network. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. In a modern NFL where coaches are becoming more and more open to versatility, Smith could perfectly fit the mold of a hybrid outside linebacker with SAM and on-ball pass-rushing capabilities. he develops in the pass-rush department. That being said, he is unrefined with his hands to effectively defeat pass blocks with optimal quickness. With his mobility, the Georgia EDGE can be a nightmare for space runners in pursuit. He should not go lower than early in Round 2. He is a model team leader and is mentally one of the best locker-room guys you could find. 9 overall pick, beginning with the 62nd overall selection. Long story short, he has very few flaws against the run and has the upside to be even better with some added mass. Even after a long career at Georgia, Smith is still more of a projection than one would prefer. The B/R NFL. 1 overall recruit in the 2019 class. Could afford to add some weight to help him hold ground against base blocks from the bigger and elite NFL offensive tackles. His power rushes can be easily absorbed and neutralized by stronger blockers. Georgia edge Nolan Smith might not be the top defensive prospect in the 2023 class, but he should make a case to be a top-10 pick. For someone who is only listed at 235 pounds, Nolan Smith is a lot stronger than you'd think and is surprisingly a better run defender than pass-rusher. Is it ever too early to start talking about next year's draft? Smiths projection is different from those who came before him, but with his explosive athleticism and exciting upside, he could be a game-changer in the NFL. Smith has experience rushing from two and three-point stances, but he appears most comfortable playing in a two-point stance. Philadelphia selected Georgia linebacker Nolan Smith with the 30th pick of the draft on Thursday after choosing his teammate, defensive tackle Jalen Carter, with the ninth pick earlier in the. And in the right hands, he can be an invaluable defensive piece. He kept that primary role in his four years with the Bulldogs, becoming a full-time starter in 2021. Could afford to add some weight to help him hold ground against base blocks from the bigger and elite NFL offensive tackles. Nolan Smith stole the show at the NFL Combineas he put up shocking number after shocking number. Relative Athletic Score places him with a 9.24 composite out of 10 thanks to remarkable times in the 40-yard dash (4.39 seconds), vertical leap (41.5 inches), and broad jump (10-foot-8). (55%*), 238 2023 NFL Draft: Full List of Eagles draft picks after Kelee Ringo In this story: Georgia Bulldogs. 1 WDE, per 247Sports composite rating. He mirrored that production in 2020 and took another step forward in the teams championship-winning 2021 campaign. He can effectively anchor and has the flexibility and natural balance to absorb blocks. Fresh off helping Georgia secure back-to-back championships, outside linebacker Nolan Smith has departed for the 2023 NFL Draft. Kirby Smart didnt stumble on his abundance of defensive talent by accident. 1 pick for '24 NFL Draft, Report: Bucs star Barrett's daughter, 2, drowns in pool, Track where undrafted NFL free agents are signing, Curry's GOAT case continues to grow with historic Game 7, NFL schedule release target date, plus 5 things we know, Hobbled Butler, Heat are playoff problem-solvers, 2019: Co-Defensive Newcomer of the Year (team awards banquet), 2021 (vs. Michigan): Career-high seven QB pressures. All Rights Reserved. Didn't look comfortable dropping into coverage. Lacks pop due to his smaller size to anchor, though. DO YOUR OWN 2024 MOCK DRAFT BY CLICKING HERE (or clicking Start A Mock Draft from your account page). Nolan Smith Scouting Report Though undersized for a 3-4 outside linebacker at 6-foot-2 and 238 pounds, Smith has genuinely rare athletic traits. Original: Jun 13, 2022. Smith might have a tougher time holding up against the bigger and more physical offensive tackles at the next level with his lean frame, but he has plenty of room for growth to add 10 to 15 pounds. historically in the player's position group (Higher value represents better perfomance). Physical at the point of attack and has pop in his hands to get extension and shed blocks from offensive tackles fairly easily. Below is a comprehensive draft profile for Smith, including his high school and college accolades, scouting report and NFL prospect outlook. Works to get to square during the stem phase of a rush to give himself a two-way go and has a nice hesitation/skip move to win around the edge. However, the Georgia EDGE can be stonewalled by linemen without proper momentum. He was an elite athlete with a sturdy frame, oozing first-round potential. Smith makes up for his undersized stature with great technique, playing with low pad level and consistently winning inside hand placement to stand up tackles and control the point of attack.". Hes also proven to be a pretty good football player while at Georgia, though not necessarily in the expected way. 21+ (18+ NH/WY). A fully-developed Smith can be a dangerous weapon to deploy off the edge versus opposing offenses. With the No. Can set the edge versus outside zone or as the force player against pullers on power and counter.
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