2011 Draft: Aldon Smith, Tweener!

[SuperSpck]

Get to know a little bit about LB prospect Aldon Smith through a catch all.
(These kind of gatherers show a person how subjective scouting is.)
What's your take?

Vitals
OLBer
Ht: 6-4 Wt: 263
School: Missouri

POST COMBINE UPDATE w/ numbers!
40 yard dash: 4.75
Arm Length: 35 3/8
Hand Size: n/a
Reps on Bench w/ 225lbs: 20

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Check out links for the full reports!

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/college_player_scouting_report.html&player=76892

A tall, extremely long-armed defensive lineman with an athletic-looking frame and impressive explosion in all areas of his game. Possesses natural bend when asked to sit into his stance, coils up well and consistently takes a positive first step off the line and does a nice job keeping his pad level down off the football. Is a bit inconsistent extending his arms into blocks when run at and at times seems content to simply drop his shoulder and drive his way toward the football.

However, seems to really have good instincts when asked to find the football and is very violent with his arms when asked to shed blocks. At times will allow defenders to gain leverage under him and can be initially driven off the ball. But, fights hard in order to disengage, uses his length and violent hands well to shed and possesses impressive closing range in pursuit. Is also very sudden and fluid for his size and has the footwork/balance to cleanly side step defenders who are trying to get into his frame, keep himself clean and close quickly on the ball carrier. Breaks down well in space and uses his long pterodactyl-like arms to wrap on his man.

Is a gifted pass rusher who fires off the snap quickly and has a real savvy about his game getting after the quarterback. Plays from both a three- and four-point stance and does a great job quickly getting into the pad level of opposing linemen in the bull rush and initially driving them into the backfield. Allows his pad level to rise, which negates some of his strength when trying to finish, but is long enough to shed.

Does a nice job using his long arms and violent hands in order to keep himself clean, loves to work the club to the outside, slowly playing it off the snap before accelerating past the tackle. He also has impressive lateral fluidity in balance working the inside arm over and club off his speed rush in order to cleanly side step blocks and accelerate toward the quarterback.
Impression: A downright dominant defensive lineman with an impressive physical skill set and great length. Showcases impress savvy, fluidity and violence as a pass rusher and should be able to further develop in the run game and mature into a potential Pro Bowl-caliber NFL defensive lineman.

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/college_player_scouting_report.html&player=76892

Positives:Very solid pass rusher... Explosive... Great first step... Good snap instincts... Good bend on the corner... Quick... Good agility... Good length and long arms... Will affect passing lanes when he cannot reach the quarterback... Penetrates... Good arsenal of moves... Very solid swim move... Solid drops in coverage... Closes quickly... Can be used on defensive line stunts... Plays well in space... Solid against the run... Makes plays in the backfield... Good change of direction agility... Good tackler... Good mobility... Gets to the ball carrier... Stays active... Hard worker... Good motor... Relentless... Has the frame to add 10-12 lbs... 11.5 sacks, 19 TFL and 64 tackles in 2009 (as redshirt freshman), named Big 12 Freshman of the Year and was a Freshman All-American... Has a lot of potential, has only been playing football since he was a junior in high school... Selected All-Big 12 second team for the 2009 season.

Negatives: Lacks strength and bulk... Does not appear to have much man-muscle yet... Pass rush tendencies will become predictable... Needs to work on hand technique... Can be washed out sometimes against the run... A bit of a tweener, would project as an rush linebacker for a 3-4 team... Fractured fibula sidelined him for three games this season.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1679141

In addition to his exceptional athletic ability, Smith's toughness has impressed scouts. While still obviously less than 100 percent, he returned an interception 58 yards in a big win against Oklahoma and managed six tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks in his final six games. He's still raw, but evaluators look at Smith as a potential John Abraham or Julian Peterson type of pass rusher with very good length to play in a 4-3 or 3-4 base scheme as he matures physically.
Pass rush: Great length and upper-body development with room to grow and become a top-notch pass rusher. When given the green light to attack the passer, he is able to turn the corner or quickly go outside-in to get a more direct path to the QB. Uses strength to get movement in his bull rush; able to release with his hands to harass a scrambling passer. Moves inside to a three-technique spot on some plays to take advantage of his quickness, as well as his height, to disrupt passing lanes (seven pass breakups in 2009-2010). Jumps over and uses his hands to beat cut blocks.
Run defense: Potentially strong edge run defender as 4-3 end or 3-4 linebacker. Stays balanced out of his stance, extends his arms to keep distance, able to shed to get to the ball on either side of the block. Good backfield awareness. Willing to lower his shoulder and stand his ground against pulling guards and moving tight ends. Gets down the line while engaged to be involved on inside runs. Beats reach blocks to get into the backfield.
Explosion: Still more potential than practice as a pure outside pass rusher, but shows glimpses of explosive ability on the edge. Pops his man with big swipes to get past blockers. Brings a punch in his bull rush, sometimes knocking back even strong college tackles.

 

[SuperSpck]

Updated w/ combine numbers.