Height: 6’ 2 ¼”
Weight: 246 LBS
College: Connecticut
In a draft class this year full of talent especially on the defensive side, inside linebacker Yawin Smallwood from university of Connecticut is one of the more solid players you will find after the first round and could be a day one starter for most NFL teams.
Strengths
Instincts: Smallwood is a natural middle linebacker, and what makes him a good linebacker is his natural ability to play the position. Smallwood rarely gets lost in holes, and is always around the football, which allowed him to produce 118 tackles including double digit tackles in six games in 2013.
Coverage: One thing that is going to attract NFL general managers to select Smallwood is that he is a three down linebacker, and to be a three down linebacker at any level you have to show ability to play in pass coverage. Smallwood had nine pass deflections along with an interception returned for a touchdown this past season. Occasionally struggles in man coverage, but for a team playing Tampa 2 zone he would be an instant fit.
Weaknesses
Speed: The biggest weakness for me that showed up on film, which may prevent Smallwood from being a next level player is his lack of speed and burst. Smallwood official 40 time was clocked at 5.01, and with a lot of teams in the league today spreading defenses out it makes defenses play fast. Smallwood seemed to miss some plays he should have made in the backfield just due to being a step too late.
Draft outlook
Smallwood is the fifth rated inside linebacker in this year’s class, and could easily be taken between rounds two and three this May, and will make a team happy if they can select him in that range.
NFL comparison
The more I watched Smallwood the more I liked his natural ability at the linebacker position, but his lack of speed prevented him from being a next level player on the field, very similar to the likes of Aj Hawk.
Best Fits
Two teams that I can see taking Smallwood in the second or third round of the draft with the need of a player who will give you 100-plus tackles if a starter are the Denver Broncos and Minnesota Vikings.