mudfoot

I am very high on Will Smith now that I have done the mock draft breakdowns. One mock compared him to Mike Rucker of the Panthers. I will go out on a limb and compare him to Charles Haley. If you notice, both of the guys I just mentioned are not the quintessential run-stoppers, but their overall game is major disruption in the backfield and all over the field. One of the draft "gurus" even mentioned that his major strength is the power of his hand. Now many of you all might have forgotten that he was the defensive end that was wrecking shop on Miami in Miami's predicted national championship game. Read this and you will probably get a good feeling about this pick.

19. MIN
Will Smith

DE - 6-3, 265 - Senior - Ohio State

MIN has itself a good, up-and-coming DT tandem in Chris Hovan and Kevin Williams, and a top-notch cover corner in Antoine Winfield. Now if the Vikings could get themselves a pass-rushing DE, they might have something that resembles an actual D. If Smith is still available at #19, this pick's a no-brainer. The senior was arguably the best player on a stingy Ohio State defense, consistently putting pressure on opposing QBs. Although Smith ran a sub-4.6 in his workout, he doesn't rely on speed as much as he does instincts, strength, and tenacity.
NFL Comparison: Mike Rucker

I have also read some of his stats and he was one of the strongest defensive ends coming out
Here is good info
Scouts look for a Player with quickness...explosion...flexability...someone who flies off the edge - comes off the ball quickly and uses his hands properly to play off of his blockers...an End that plays in a 3-4 defense must be versatile and be able to play on the Tackle and Guard and be a Pass-rusher...a 4-3 End can be a bit smaller but must have speed quickness and pass-rushing ability.



(Player - School) (Ht) (Wt) (40-T) (10-T) (Fat%) (Cone) (Bench

1. Kenechi Udeze (USC) 6-2.7 272 4.77 1.63 8.1 7.72 25

2. Will Smith (Ohio State)6-2.6 275 4.62 9.0 7.42 30

3. Antwan Odom (Ala) 6-5.6 274 4.72 1.66 11.9 7.30 21
4. Marquise Hill (LSU) 6-6.5 296 5.22 17.2 23

5. Jason Babin (W. Mich) 6-2.5 258 4.64 1.64 15.6 7.03 28
6. Isaac Hilton (Hampton) 6-3.3 267 4.59 1.59 9.8 31

7. Bobby McCray (Florida) 6-5.7 251 4.74 1.75 7.1 7.20 27
8. Dave Ball (UCLA) 6-5.3 277 INJINJ 16.87.46 24 Round 3-4

9. Nathaniel Adibi (Virginia Tech 6-2.6 254 4.65 1.62 10.1



[Edited on 1/5/2004 by mudfoot]