Tag: christopher smith

Several Raiders players get new numbers as they make 53-man roster

Raiders once had a 00. Now they have a 0 for the first time in franchise history.

Camp is over, which for many players means their camp numbers are gone too. With so many players being cut from the roster, it opens up a lot of possibilities for number changes as well.

A few players took advantage of the opportunity to change up their numbers.

0 – CB Jakorian Bennett

He becomes the first Raiders player to ever wear the number 0. The Raiders, of course, had 00 Jim Otto, but no single zero. Bennett was number 29 in camp and preseason.

14 – WR Tre Tucker

The rookie gets himself a number in the teens. He was wearing number 89 in camp and preseason while Chase Garbers wore number 14,

29 – S Chris Smith II

Smith nabs the 29 worn by Jakorian Bennett. Smith wore the number 42 in camp.

81 – TE Austin Hooper

Hooper gets the Tim Brown special. Cam Sims had worn it in camp while Hooper had worn number 82.

99 – DT Nesta Jade Silvera

Silvera wore number 97 in camp while Jordan Willis wore 99 and was cut.

Raiders sign most of draft class ahead of start to rookie camp

A bevvy of Draft class signings for Raiders on the eve of rookie camp.

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Just ahead of rookie mini camp, the Raiders have begun locking in their rookie draft class. They began rattling off the official signings today.

Here is who has signed so far:

Round 3, pick 100 WR Tre Tucker
Round 4, pick 135 QB Aidan O’Connell
Round 5, pick 170 S Christopher Smith II
Round 6, pick 203 LB Amari Burney
Round 7, pick 231 DT Nesta Jade Silvera

Tucker signs a four-year, $5.4 million deal.

O’Connell signs a four-year, $4.7 million deal.

Smith signs a four-year, $4.1 million deal.

Burney signs a four-year, $4 million contract.

Jade Silvera signs a four-year, $3.9 million deal.

None of these deals carry a cap figure that rises into the Top 51 and thus do not currently count against the Raiders 2023 cap figures.

In total the Raiders drafted nine players this year. The others are:

Round 1, pick 7 ED Tyree Wilson
Round 2, pick 35 TE Michael Mayer
Round 3, pick 70 DT Byron Young
Round 4, pick 104 CB Jakorian Bennett

Former UGA safety Christopher Smith selected in 2023 NFL draft

Christopher Smith picked by the Raiders!

Former Georgia safety Christopher Smith was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL draft.

Smith was picked No. 170 overall and became Georgia’s seventh player to be taken from its back-to-back national championship-winning team.

Smith will join former Georgia defensive tackle John Jenkins and running back Zamir White in Las Vegas.

Smith leaves Georgia after a five-year career in Athens. He was a starter over the last two seasons and the final five games of his sophomore season.

In 2022, Smith was a finalist for the 2022 Bronko Nagurski Award as the nation’s top defensive player. He also earned Associated Press and Coaches’ All-SEC first-team honors while starting all 15 games for the Dawgs last year.

In 55 career games, Smith recorded 132 total tackles, six tackles for a loss, one sack, six interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

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Day 3 Cleveland Browns mock draft with first three rounds complete

How will the Browns round out their 2023 draft class?

Day 2 of the 2023 NFL draft saw the Cleveland Browns finally on the clock with two Day 3 picks at pick no. 74 and pick no. 98. The team addressed depth at wide receiver with the selection of Cedric Tillman at 74 before continuing to build the defensive line by selecting Siaki Ika at pick 98. Could they address defensive end with a name like Isaiah McGuire on Day 3?

The team could still use some help at edge rusher with some really intriguing options still on the board as their next pick will come at pick no. 111. They could also use more depth along the offensive line and in the running back room, let’s look at how the draft’s final day could shape up for the Browns.

Los Angeles Chargers four-round 2023 NFL mock draft Friday 4.0

The Chargers go wide receiver, edge defender, tight end and safety in this four-round mock draft.

The 2023 NFL draft is just three weeks away, so we are nearing the end of informing you who the Chargers could target while they’re on the clock.

With that being said, this is the fourth installment of the four-round mock draft Friday, where I lay out different scenarios on how the first four rounds could play out for Los Angeles.

Unpacking Future Packers: No. 45, Georgia S Christopher Smith

Up next in the Unpacking Future Packers draft preview series is Georgia safety Christopher Smith.

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2023 NFL draft.

The Georgia Bulldogs have had 14 defensive players selected during the past two NFL Drafts. The Green Bay Packers have selected three of those players.

Brian Gutekunst selected Eric Stokes in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft and followed that up by selecting Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

A Georgia Bulldog defensive player that Brian Gutekunst could target in the 2023 NFL Draft is Christopher Smith. The Georgia safety checks in at No. 45 in the Unpacking Future Packers countdown.

A four-star recruit, Smith recorded three interceptions and four pass deflections during Georgia’s national championship-winning season in 2021. Smith helped the Bulldogs repeat this past season. The Georgia safety recorded 61 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, three interceptions, and five pass deflections. 

“Christopher Smith is a guy that waited his turn,” Ryan Kearly, a reporter for DawgPost.com said. “He didn’t transfer when he was far back on the depth chart. He bought in and made the most of his opportunity when it was presented. He was one of the leaders of the team. He was a fifth-year guy that had played a lot of meaningful snaps in a secondary that was young overall.”

Smith covers a lot of real estate in the backend. He’s a highly instinctive player that covers a lot of ground in the secondary. A former high school track athlete, Smith plays faster than his 40-time. He takes proper angles, both in pass coverage and in run support. He trusts his eyes and instincts and is quick to trigger. 

Over the past two seasons, Smith recorded six interceptions. He has natural ball skills and does wide receiver-like things at the catch point. 

Smith has had some of his biggest moments in the biggest games over the past two seasons. In the season-opener against Clemson in 2021, Smith had a 74-yard pick-six. In the 2021 National Championship Game, Smith recorded seven tackles, one interception, and two pass deflections. In the 2022 SEC Championship Game, Smith recorded one interception and one tackle for loss. 

“I think the most important thing I can say about Chris is that he is a player that is no stranger to big moments and big plays,” Kearly said. “When a big play was needed, Christopher Smith was there to make it. The Clemson game in 2021, Alabama 2022 national championship, and 2022 SEC Championship games are perfect examples.”

Smith may be on the lighter side (192) pounds, but he plays bigger than his frame. He’s fearless coming up in run support. He flies downhill like he was shot out of cannon. 

“He is smaller and he is not a superior athlete, but he makes big hits,” Kearly said. “Smith will pop you. Go watch the Oregon game. Not being afraid of harsh contact is what made him good in run support.”

Smith could provide an immediate impact on special teams during his rookie season. The Georgia safety logged 303 snaps on special teams during his time in Athens.

Fit with the Packers

The Packers have already made two moves at safety this offseason. Brian Gutekunst re-signed Rudy Ford and he went out and signed former third-round pick Tarvarius Moore. There are likely more moves coming and the next one could be in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Smith has the range, instincts, ball skills, and special teams experience to fight for playing time early in his career. 

Pro Football Focus has Smith as one of the best pure safeties in the draft. From PFF: 

Smith can really cover some ground. He’s one of the best true backend players in the draft class. His ability to get sideline to sideline, as well as downhill in the run game from a deep alignment, will serve him well at the next level.

The Packers had a lot of breakdowns in coverage last season. Adding a player with Smith’s instincts could help cut down on those lapses in coverage.

With his skill set, Smith could be an attractive day two or early day three target for the Packers as they look to revamp the safety depth chart this offseason.

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Browns draft profile: Could the team target versatile safety Christopher Smith?

Smith could be a good fit in Cleveland.

The Cleveland Browns will look at safety position changes with the team set to release John Johnson III. They need a player that can play deep coverage and potentially a true nickel player as well. Christopher Smith from Georgia could fill the nickel role as well as a coverage safety.

Smith has a slim frame which could limit his play in the box but he has the toughness to make a decent impact in the run game. The Browns safeties need to produce more in the turnover area and Smith has the production in college due to his great ball skills and ability to track the ball in the air.

A player with high football IQ Smith can read and diagnose what is happening in front of him and has the athleticism to react quickly. Some tackling issues have to be cleaned up but his physicality as a tackler shows he has the tools to be quality to be reliable after the catch and in run support.

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How did Georgia safety Christopher Smith perform at the NFL combine?

Smith ran a 4.62 40-yard dash

Georgia Bulldogs safety Christopher Smith was not projected to be a standout at the NFL combine. Smith is coming off a very productive college career. He won back-to-back national championships to cap off his time at Georgia.

Smith is an excellent tackler and sniffs out opposing plays very well. The 5-foot-11, 192-pound safety reads plays very quickly and plays the game much faster than his 4.62 second official 40-yard dash time.

NFL teams care more about Christopher Smith’s tape than his 40-yard dash time. Smith’s anticipation and awareness are outstanding. Frankly, he often looks like the fastest player on the field when he comes flying down from the safety position to make a tackle in the backfield (he had five tackles for a loss in 2022).

Smith’s productivity has already caught the eyes of NFL draft scouts. He intercepted six passes over his final two seasons in Athens. Smith recorded 61 tackles in his last year at Georgia and had a memorable blocked kick return for a touchdown against LSU.

Georgia defensive back Christopher Smith returns a blocked field goal for a touchdown during the first half of the SEC championship. Online Athens/Joshua L. Jones

Christopher Smith posted a 9-foot-8 broad jump, which was tied for last among safeties. Additionally, he posted a 33 inch vertical jump, which is close to the middle of the pack at his position.

Pro Football Focus ranks Smith as the No. 77 player in the NFL draft.

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How did Georgia safety Christopher Smith perform at the NFL combine?

Smith ran a 4.62 40-yard dash

Georgia Bulldogs safety Christopher Smith was not projected to be a standout at the NFL combine. Smith is coming off a very productive college career. He won back-to-back national championships to cap his time at Georgia.

Smith is an excellent tackler and sniffs out opposing plays very well. The 5-foot-11, 192-pound safety reads plays very quickly and plays the game much faster than his 4.62 second official 40-yard dash time.

NFL teams care more about Christopher Smith’s tape than his 40-yard dash time. Smith’s anticipation and awareness are outstanding. Frankly, he often looks like the fastest player on the field when he comes flying down from the safety position to make a tackle in the backfield (he had five tackles for a loss in 2022).

Smith’s productivity has already caught the eyes of NFL draft scouts. He intercepted six passes over his final two seasons in Athens. Smith recorded 61 tackles in his last year at Georgia and had a memorable blocked kick return for a touchdown against LSU.

Georgia defensive back Christopher Smith returns a blocked field goal for a touchdown during the first half of the SEC championship. Online Athens/Joshua L. Jones

Smith posted a 9-foot-8 broad jump, which was tied for last among safeties. Additionally, he posted a 33-inch vertical jump, which is close to the middle of the pack at his position.

Pro Football Focus ranks Smith as the No. 77 player in the NFL draft.

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Christopher Smith’s NFL draft profile

Here’s a look at Georgia safety Christopher Smith’s NFL draft profile…

Former Georgia safety Christopher Smith is one of 13 Bulldogs preparing for the 2023 NFL draft.

Smith was an integral part of Georgia’s star-studded defense in back-to-back national championship seasons.

The 2022 All-American is currently ranked as the No. 6 safety according to ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper jr.

NFL.com recently released Smith’s detailed draft profile ahead of the NFL Combine that is set to begin on Feb. 28.

Overview: Undersized free safety with the athletic ability and toughness to eventually compete for a starting spot. Smith has man-cover talent and range to play over the top, but he was often more effective attacking downhill on routes underneath and stopping plays. He’s willing in run support but tackling big backs could be an issue. Despite his limited size, his reliability in coverage is a big advantage against today’s offensive attacks.

Strengths: Hard worker with a history of success. Ready to rush into the alley and slow outside run. Able to alter track to mirror runner’s movement in pursuit. Recorded six interceptions over the last two years.

Weaknesses: Smallish frame for an aggressive safety. Slows feet and catches the collision in open field. Needs to play with better eye balance from off-man. Average chase burst at the top of the route.

Click here for more strengths and weaknesses.

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