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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.
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.
Will the Packers select a Georgia defensive player for a third straight year?
If they do, an early, early betting favorite has to be Christopher Smith (DB).
Plus ball skills. Special teams experience. Track background. pic.twitter.com/Ikfvx8ztU9
— Brennen Rupp (@Brennen_Rupp) May 14, 2022
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.
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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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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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.
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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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.
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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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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Jets double dip on offensive line in Draft Wire’s pre-Combine three-round mock
The NFL world will soon descend upon Indianapolis for the scouting combine. Before we get there, our friends at Draft Wire released their latest three-round mock draft. The haul for the Jets should excite fans as this mock has the team addressing the offensive line with their first two picks.
First, it’s a trade back to No. 16 with the Washington Commanders. After the trade back, the Jets select Georgia offensive tackle Broderick Jones, a player who has been touched on plenty as a first-round option for the Jets.
In round two, the Jets focus on the middle of the offensive line with Minnesota center John Michael Schmitz, who has a chance to follow up his strong week at the Senior Bowl with a strong performance at the combine.
Finally, in Round 3, the Jets go defense and take their second player from the national champion Bulldogs, safety Christopher Smith II.
How are Georgia Bulldogs performing in Senior Bowl practice?
Georgia’s Warren McClendon, Christopher Smith, Jack Podlesny, and Kenny McIntosh are all participating in the 2023 Reese’s Senior Bowl. The Senior Bowl is one of the top NFL draft scouting events.
Georgia has 13 players with a realistic shot of being drafted in the 2023 NFL draft. Most of these NFL draft prospects will go through various predraft workouts like the combine and pro day. However, the Senior Bowl is widely considered one of the best NFL draft scouting events thanks to the transparency it has.
How are Georgia Bulldogs performing in Senior Bowl practice? Here’s a peak at some of the more interesting one-on-one reps featuring Georgia Bulldogs:
Senior Bowl measurements for 4 Bulldogs…
Four Georgia Bulldogs are participating this week in the Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.
Running back Kenny McIntosh, offensive lineman Warren McClendon, safety Christopher Smith and kicker Jack Podlesny will showcase their skills in front of a host of NFL organizations ahead of the 2023 draft.
On Tuesday, the Senior Bowl measured each player much like the NFL combine does. Here are the results for each Bulldog.
First up is McIntosh:
Official Senior Bowl Measurements #TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™️ pic.twitter.com/hGj3WHmoqi
— Reese's Senior Bowl (@seniorbowl) January 31, 2023
McIntosh is ranked just outside of ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr’s Top-10 running back prospects.
Next up is McClendon:
Official Senior Bowl Measurements #TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™️ pic.twitter.com/Qhm8XiNc0u
— Reese's Senior Bowl (@seniorbowl) January 31, 2023
Like McIntosh, McClendon is ranked just outside of Kiper’s Top-10 players at offensive tackle.
Next up is Smith:
Official Senior Bowl Measurements #TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™️ pic.twitter.com/wUAedZmpet
— Reese's Senior Bowl (@seniorbowl) January 31, 2023
Smith is the No. 6 safety prospect, according to Kiper’s Top-10 safeties.
Last up is Podlesny:
Official Senior Bowl Measurements #TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™️ pic.twitter.com/kg6zPINfHv
— Reese's Senior Bowl (@seniorbowl) January 31, 2023
Podlesny is rated as the No. 7 kicker, according to Kiper’s Top-10 kicker prospects.
We finish our Senior Bowl preview series with the safeties
One of the most important events on the National Football League calendar is the Senior Bowl. Held the week after the conference championship games, it is the true beginning of the NFL draft cycle.
Not only do scouts and analysts like us get to see over 100 draft prospects in one place competing against each other, but it’s also an opportunity for analysts and personnel alike to get together and have discussions about a number of topics.
As we look forward to this year’s Senior Bowl, both managing editor Tyler Forness and columnist Matt Anderson will be there in person to break everything down.
We will be breaking down each position group and what to look for throughout the week. Here is the edge rusher position.
Previous:
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
Offensive tackles
Interior offensive line
Interior defensive line
Edge rushers
Linebackers
Cornerbacks
