Up next in the Unpacking Future Packers draft preview series is Washington State cornerback Chau Smith-Wade.
The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2024 NFL draft.
With Keisean Nixon set to hit free agency, the Green Bay Packers could be in the market for a new nickel cornerback.
A player that didn’t necessarily log a ton of snaps in the slot at the collegiate level but could kick inside at the next level is Chau Smith-Wade. The Washington State cornerback is No. 78 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.
“He could absolutely play in the slot,” Jamey Vinnick, the Washington State beat writer for Cougfan.com, said. “In all honesty, he probably profiles better as a nickel just with the size.”
A three-star recruit out of Colorado, Smith-Wade recorded one tackle for loss and one pass deflection in two games during the 2020 season. The following season Smith-Wade picked off one pass. In 2022, Smith Wade recorded 2.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions and eight pass deflections.
In seven games this past season, Smith Wade recorded 35 tackles, two tackles for loss and broke up six passes.
Smith-Wade has good click-and-close skills and is a sudden athlete. He’s a fluid mover with excellent change-of-direction skills. He’s sticky and can stay attached to the receiver throughout the route. The Colorado native has the long speed to stay on top of vertical routes. He has natural ball skills and does a good job of tracking the ball like a centerfielder.
Over the past two seasons, Smith-Wade logged just 24 snaps in the slot. If he were to kick inside, he has the short-area quickness, the instincts, and the toughness to handle the responsibility of being a full-time nickel back.
“His ability to track the ball is remarkable,” Vinnick said. “He never is caught twisting and turning to find the ball or with his back to it. He is also quick and while he isn’t big, he plays bigger than he is and he is really good with his hands to a point where he’s not interfering or holding.”
Against the run, Smith-Wade fires downhill like he was a shot out of a cannon. While he’s a willing participant, he doesn’t always get the ball carrier to the ground.
“Serviceable is probably a fair description,” Vinnick said. “He’s not an elite run-stopping corner but he’s not a liability either.”
During his time at Washington State, Smith-Wade logged 333 snaps on special teams and recorded seven tackles. If the Washington State cornerback is unable to crack the starting lineup on defense as a rookie, it’s a safe bet he’ll make a difference on special teams.
Fit with the Packers
If the Packers don’t re-sign Nixon, they are going to need a new nickel cornerback. Targeting a player like Smith-Wade, who could play on the boundary or on the inside makes a ton of sense.
He has excellent feet, he’s got plus ball skills, he’s sticky in coverage and the Washington State cornerback plays with a ton of confidence.
“His coverage skills are truly top-notch,” Vinnick said. “From a pure coverage standpoint, he’s up there with Quinyon Mitchell, Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold. He also still has a ton of room to get better. His main deficiency is that he’s small.”
The Packers need an infusion of playmaking ability in the secondary. Over the past two seasons (20 games), Smith-Wade broke up 16 passes, with two interceptions and forced three fumbles. He also only gave up two touchdowns during that stretch. He’s feisty in coverage and he has the natural ball skills to make quarterbacks pay for throwing in his zip code.
