Name: Preston Smith
College: Mississippi State
Class: Senior
Position: DL
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 270
Background/Character | Leadership: 9 | Experience: 8 | Off-the-Field: 10 |
| Mental Capacity: 8 | Mental Toughness: 8 | Durability: 9 |
Preston Smith played in more than 40 career games, starting the final 27 at Mississippi State. He was a team captain as a senior on a defense with many upperclassmen to choose from. He has no known issues off-the-field or injury history. Smith played in a 3-4 for his career, so his transition to a 4-3 may not be smith or possible.
Final Grade: 8.66
Athleticism | Balance: 9 | C.O.D: 8 | Explosiveness: 8 |
| Flexibility: 7 | Coordination: 9 | Body Type: 9 |
Smith has a long, strong build that is filled out to the eye. His length and quickness as an interior rusher is a major bonus with his game. He doesn't have the flexibility to be an outside rusher, as his hips are stiff and lack bend. As a 5T, he is an impressive mover.
Final Grade: 8.33
Overall | Football IQ: 9 | Tackling: 8 | Motor: 9 |
| Aggressiveness: 9 | Vision: 9 | Stamina: 8 |
He’s a very intense player, showing the willingness to chase down plays and finish with a powerful tackle. Smith is highly intelligent, showing the wherewithal to always locate the ball in the backfield. He has a controlled aggression that helps him stay stout in his lane. He’s a good tackler, but is prone to hitting high when the runner is at arms length away. He should look to hit the hip instead of the shoulder. This will help his effectiveness.
Final Grade: 8.66
Run Defense | Range: 7 | Pursuit: 7 | Positioning: 8 |
| Read/React: 8 | Block Shedding: 9 | Hole Clogging: 8 |
Preston Smith is really a stud against the run. He knows how to use his length so that he can disengage when the time is right. His best move to get into the backfield is to go inside shoulder, so there are times when he will command a double team. His hands are very strong and he uses them to rip away from the blocker at the last second. He doesn't operate too well in space, specifically against the read option, so that’s not a role he should be in.
Final Grade: 7.83
Pass Defense | Initial Quicks: 8 | Rip/Swim Rush: 8 | Bull Rush: 8 |
| Counter Rush: 8 | Edge Quickness: 7 | Vs. Doubles: 8 |
Smith’s at his best when he is able to go upfield to the inside shoulder of the defender. He uses his length to get the blocker off balance, or overcommitting to one side. Once he recognizes that he created an angle, Smith is quick enough to penetrate and force pressure. Nickel pass rush situations will be great for Smith, as he can pin back and unless his speed to power rush technique, which is solid.
Final Grade: 7.83
| Player Comparison: | Datone Jones |
| Projected Draft Position: | 2nd-3rd round |
| Best Scheme Fit: | 3-4 DE/4-3 DT |
| Injury History: | No major injuries |
| Career Accolades: | First-Team All-SEC 2014 |
| Career Stats: | 134 tackles, 16 sacks, 7 forced fumbles |
Final Analysis
Heading into the week of Senior Bowl practices, I wasn't sure what to make of Preston Smith. He’s a very good 5-technique in a 3-4 front, so that much would stay the same for his projection, but I wasn't sure if he could play an edge position in a 4-3.
After seeing him in 1 on 1 settings and team drills, he can only play over the tackle or guard, so a 4-3 end will not be a productive spot for Smith. Nevertheless, he has value. He’s very strong and smart, showing the ability to shove his blocker aside when he needs to create pressure upfield or move down the line to stop the run. He’s quick enough to be an issue for interior lineman and doesn't need to be schemed free.
The fact that he can draw double teams will be a great asset for 3-4 teams looking for a versatile player on their front.
Final Grade: 8.15 - 2nd round value