Scouting Report 2009: Better Know a Draft Prospect: Alabama Left Tackle Andre Smith

by Jonathan Loesche on Feb 27, 2009 7:00 AM EST in 2009 Scouting Reports

This was originally going to be on Baylor Left Tackle Jason Smith. However, due to the events at the combine I think these two have effectively "Traded places" with Jason becoming the Top Rated tackle and out of the Jaguars reach, while Andre falls behind Eugene Monroe to take the #3 spot among tackles and should be available at the #8 spot.

Because of his two recent facepalm worthy moves, being suspended for the Sugar Bowl then skipping the combine, many have forgotten that prior to that he was a legit shot to go #1 and was #1 on many boards.

Smith was a dominant linemen at Alabama, and if you want to see just how much he meant, just look at the tone of Alabama's offensive line during the season vs the Sugar Bowl against Utah.

Smith comes out of a Pro Style system at Alabama, which as I've said, gives him a better edge at making the leap than Jason Smith or Michael Oher, who were in primarily Spread offenses last season.

Video Killed The Scouting Report

By The Numbers

At A Glance
Position 1: Left Tackle	Height: 6'5
Position 2: Right Tackle	Weight: 320
Class: Junior	Age: 21
Projected Round: 1	40time: 5.5

Smith is the shortest and stockiest tackle in the draft. His weight is something of a concern, especially against quick footed defensive ends. However his raw skills are undeniable.

According To The Experts

Positive

Mocking The Draft:: Smith has lived up to the hype as a premier run blocker. Uses his hands very well and has the strength to easily redirect opponents. Does nicely on the move. Does a good job staying low to get leverage.

Draft Board Insider: Huge body, wide and thick with the most powerful build of any of the top tackles. Easily the best tackle in this draft, based on one thing. He is the most crippling run blocker at tackle I’ve seen in a decade

Walter Football: Extremely strong and has nice bulk and wide base... Dominant run blocker and is a finisher... Nasty demeanor

Negative

Mocking The Draft: Doesn't have top footwork for a left tackle. Needs to improve his quickness. That may be a weight issue, which he's had problems with in the past

Draft Board Insider: Needs to work on weight and not the best footwork

Walter Football: Doesn't have the explosive athleticism of an elite left tackle ... Major weight concerns in the past

Why Should He Be a Jaguar

Andre Smith is a monster tackle who prior to the combine was guranteed to be gone by the #4 pick. Now, he may slide all the way to the Jaguars.....in the second round. Maybe I'm crazy. Maybe this is a repeat of the scenario where UF tackle Kenyatta Walker slid to the Jaguars, another "Surfire Top 10 pick" at 13 only for the Jags to take Marcus Stroud. Stroud is a 3 time Pro Bowler, I believe Walker is out of the league. Or maybe Smith may be the best lineman the Jaguars have had since Boselli.

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Comments

Enough about Smith.

Can you do a BKADP on

Jeremy Maclin

That TE that runs a 4.4

Mark Sanchez

Darrius Heyward-Bey

others…

Maybe like look at other less known OTs

some information about the talent coming out of HBCUs would be cool too: remember we got Mathis and Durant from HBCUs

by Slvrgun on Feb 27, 2009 10:25 AM EST reply actions

Take a look at the draft headquarters

I’ve already done one on Maclin and Sanchez.

"I smoke. If this bothers anyone, I suggest you look around at the world in which we live and shut your mouth."-Bill Hicks

by Jonathan Loesche on Feb 27, 2009 11:32 AM EST up reply actions

There were no TE's that ran less than a 4.5

You know who I do like is Cameron Morrah. He’s a receiving TE that improved every year and you might question his relatively low production receiving, but the guy was doing a great job blocking almost on every play that he wasn’t getting a catch. He also had to deal with the QB switcharoo all of last season.
He was blocking in the back field as an H back, he was an in-line blocker, he would come in motion and draw defenses. He’s got good hands out of the backfield and down the field. He also ran a 4.6, so has a pretty good speed(especially for such a generally slow combine). He’s also got upside (with little factor for busting.)and he’s a sleeper so he will garner lots of value.

by Ewdtrey on Feb 27, 2009 12:11 PM EST up reply actions

im actually warmin up

to sanchez. i am a garrard fan, jersey and everything. fact is, he is 31, a young 31 but still 31 and we are building so let a qb who needs to learn come in and learn. that si guy said we were high on him.

its all up to the dak side now

surreal to be teal

by Surteal on Feb 27, 2009 11:35 AM EST reply actions

FSBlue, I love the point about Andre Smith coming out of a pro offense

Without a doubt he is more prepared to be an impact player than that Jason Smith (and I think everyone should still have him graded above Oher). This is a guy who flat-out dominated for years against the best talent college football has to offer. Vic talked about head to head against other quality players mattering the most. Well, head to head Andre Smith never lost to anyone.

No matter how much people like Sanchez (which I don’t, and I don’t understand using a high 1st rounder to have a guy sit on the bench for years…high 1st rounders are for impact players that start immediately) or Garrard, the fact is neither one of them will be good without a monster like Andre Smith protecting them. That’s not needs-based drafting; that’s fact. It’s still a BAP philosophy when you target a guy and trade down accordingly to get him.

by MoveThoseChains on Feb 27, 2009 11:43 AM EST reply actions

Yeah, for a team like the Jaguars

Smith is easily the best of the 4 at run blocking. Now, pass blocking is suspect but he has the talent. The deal with the Sugar Bowl I’ll excuse because let’s be honest, raise your hand if you thought none of the other guys projected in the Top 10 talked to agents between their last game and Bowl season. The main reason I don’t like Jason Smith is because in the Spread Offense you rarely need to ever simply go and over power people, which is what the Jags want.

-John

"I smoke. If this bothers anyone, I suggest you look around at the world in which we live and shut your mouth."-Bill Hicks

by Jonathan Loesche on Feb 27, 2009 11:50 AM EST up reply actions

Can you also do a Scouting Report on Mitch King? In Vic’s video with Del Rio, Del Rio was watching tape on Mitch King. So he might be someone we might target in the later rounds.

by ajagsbeliever on Feb 27, 2009 5:15 PM EST reply actions