Tag: Tyler Smith

Colts select OT Tyler Smith, WR Jalen Tolbert in latest ESPN mock

Who did the Colts take in ESPN’s alternating mock draft?

In the latest ESPN mock draft featuring alternating picks between Mel Kiper and Todd McShay, the Indianapolis Colts hit on their two biggest needs going into the 2022 NFL draft.

Because this mock draft takes place through the first three rounds, the Colts will only have two selections. They lost their first-round pick due to the 2021 trade with the Philadelphia Eagles and wound up giving their extra third-round pick to the Atlanta Falcons in order to trade for quarterback Matt Ryan.

At the No. 42 overall pick, Kiper had control of the Colts’ first selection in this mock draft. He opted to go with an offensive tackle to compete with Matt Pryor on the blindside.

“Kiper’s pick: Tyler Smith, OT/G, Tulsa

For the Colts’ first pick, I see them going best offensive lineman on the board. They have a hole at right guard and left tackle. Smith could fill either of those voids. He was almost too aggressive at times last season (12 penalties), but he is physical at the point of attack.”

There is a lot of upside for Smith in the NFL given his size (6’4″, 324) and arm length (34 inches). While his height and weight don’t meet the typical criteria that the Colts like in their offensive tackles, his length and potential do offer some upside.

Other players available at the time of this pick include cornerback Kyler Gordon, wide receiver Skyy Moore, offensive tackle Abraham Lucas, safety Jaquan Brisker and wide receiver George Pickens. It’s likely that all of these players would be considered better fits for the Colts than Smith.

At No. 73 overall, McShay took over the reins for the Colts’ other selection on Day 2 of the draft. He went with a wide receiver.

McShay’s pick: Jalen Tolbert, WR, South Alabama

The Colts have to get themselves a receiver before Friday night is over, even though 13 are already off the board. Matt Ryan, meet Tolbert, who is a smooth route runner with good speed.

Tolbert is certainly an intriguing prospect for the Colts and one who shouldn’t be dismissed out of hand because he comes from a small school. He has good size (6’0″, 194), speed (4.49) and length (32 1/4 inch arms).

Other players available with this pick include defensive tackle DeMarvin Leal, wide receiver Khalil Shakir, cornerback Tariq Woolen, safety Kerby Joseph and wide receiver David Bell. I would expect Tolbert to be in the mix if this is the available crop.

Like Colts Wire on Facebook
Follow Colts Wire on Twitter
Follow Kevin on Twitter (@KevinHickey11)

[lawrence-related id=71182,71169,71166]

[listicle id=71184]

Denver Broncos pre-draft visit tracker

The list of prospects who have visited the Broncos ahead of the NFL draft includes OT Matt Waletzko, RB James Cook and OLB Nik Bonitto.
,

Each offseason, NFL teams are allowed to host 30 non-local prospects at their facilities ahead of the NFL draft. We will be tracking the Denver Broncos’ top 30 visits on this page.

Broncos Pre-Draft Visits

1. RB Shermari Jones
2. RB James Cook
3. RB Isaih Pacheco
4. RB Zamir White
5. OT Tyler Smith
6. OT Abraham Lucus
7. OT Matt Waletzko
8. OT Braxton Jones
9. OL Cam Jurgens
10. OL Dylan Parham
11. OL Cole Strange
12. TE/FB Chigoziem Okonkwo
13. WR Tyquan Thornton
14. WR Jared Bernhardt
15. CB Cordale Flott
16. CB DaRon Bland
17. CB Ja’Quan McMillian
18. CB Martin Emerson
19. DB Nick Grant
20. DB Tariq Carpenter
21. OLB DeAngelo Malone
22. OLB Nik Bonitto

Non-Top 30 Visits

1. LB Chad Muma (local visit)
2. TE Cole Turner (virtual visit)
3. OL Thayer Munford (virtual visit)
4. OL Jamaree Salyer (virtual visit)
5. OLB Isaiah Thomas (virtual visit)
6. RB Hassan Haskins (virtual visit)
7. WR Mike Harley Jr. (Hula Bowl)
8. WR D’Eriq King (pro day)
9. K Cade York  (pro day)

The draft will be held in Las Vegas from April 28-30. The Broncos currently own nine selections, including a second-round pick and a pair of third-round picks.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[listicle id=676857]

Unpacking Future Packers: No. 12 Tyler Smith

Tulsa OL Tyler Smith is up next in Unpacking Future Packers, a countdown previewing the 2022 NFL draft for Packers Wire.

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2022 NFL draft.

The Green Bay Packers haven’t selected an offensive lineman in the first round since selecting Derek Sherrod with the 32nd overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft. 

“On the edges, we need a guy or two, just to really shore up the tackle position,” Green Bay’s offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich said while speaking to the media.

With the Packers looking to bolster the depth at the tackle position, that streak of not selecting an offensive lineman in the first round could come to an end in 10 days.

A player Brian Gutekunst could target with the 28th overall pick is Tyler Smith. The Tulsa offensive lineman checks in at No. 12 in the Unpacking Future Packers countdown.

Smith finished his career at Tulsa with 23 career starts at left tackle. The Tulsa offensive lineman plays with a mean streak. From an interview with Pro Football Focus:

“Anybody who steps across from me is kind of like an enemy, and I gotta make sure when I put them down, they’re gonna think twice about getting back up.”

Smith is the Roy Kent of American football. He plays angry. Smith plays like the man across from him came to his house and drank all his beer. The young man plays with an edge and wants to bury the man across from him. He’s an absolute mauler. 

“He has phenomenal power and moves very fluidly,” Zach Patraw, the President of NFL Draft Bible, said. “He has solid leg drive that allows him to move effortlessly through contact with his great lower-body strength. Smith controls defenders when he lands his hands on their frame with an outstanding amount of grip strength.”

Smith is a violent run blocker. The Tulsa offensive lineman plays with a lot of power and explodes into the man across from him with a lot of force. He opens up running lanes by putting people on the ground. He has a strong upper body with good leg drive to move people. He has the short area quickness to easily climb to the second level and hit his landmarks.

“Whether it’s pulling, climbing to the second level, reach-blocking, or down blocking, his athleticism and movement skills allow him to be a very effective run blocker in many facets of the running game,” Patraw said.

Pro Football Focus described Smith as the best gap scheme blocker in the 2022 NFL draft. From PFF:

“Smith only just turned 21 this month and still managed to lead all of college football with 21 big-time blocks in 2021. His ability to move people against their will is rare for a player his age.”

Smith has a strong core and is able to anchor down against bull rushers. He has an athletic frame with good length. He has quick feet and the lateral quickness to beat edge rushers to the spot and shut down the corner. According to PFF, Smith allowed just two sacks during his career at Tulsa.

“He mirrors well before contact is initiated and throws a well-timed punch,” Patraw said. “Even after contact is initiated, he’s hardly phased and will stay mirrored, moving his lower body fluidly and precisely timing his feet and hands.”

Fit with the Packers

The Tulsa offensive lineman is one of the youngest players in the 2022 draft. Smith just turned 21 years old. With his athletic profile, age, tackle-guard versatility and the fact that he plays a premium position, Smith could be the player Gutekunst selects with the 28th overall pick.

“I’m drafting him because he’s still raw and someone I can mold,” Patraw said. “We’re looking at a franchise tackle with all-pro upside if all comes to fruition. I wouldn’t hesitate taking him at the backend of the first round.”

Smith is an athletic, mold of clay that every NFL team would love to get their hands on. He’s pro-ready as a blocker, and teams will have to live with his lumps in pass protection early in his career.

At only 21 years old, he has all the tools to develop into a starting tackle for the next decade-plus. The Packers already have their franchise left tackle in place with David Bakhtiari. By selecting Smith with the 28th overall pick, they could have their starting right tackle of the future.

[lawrence-related id=75800]

Titans go OT, WR in Draft Wire’s three-round mock

The Titans address two of their biggest needs in Draft Wire’s latest three-round mock.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyh7crnrcs3ypf player_id=none image=https://titanswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

In the latest three-round mock draft from Draft Wire, the Tennessee Titans address two of their biggest needs, offensive tackle and wide receiver.

With their two picks in the first three rounds, Draft Wire’s Luke Easterling has the Titans rolling with Tulsa offensive tackle, Tyler Smith, and Boise State wide receiver, Khalil Shakir.

Here’s what Easterling says about the pick of Smith:

“This offense doesn’t work unless the offensive line is controlling the line of scrimmage, and the Titans could use an upgrade at left guard. Smith played left tackle for the Golden Hurricane, but projects better inside at the next level, and brings the kind of nasty playing style the Titans love up front.”

As we’ve said all along, if the top five wideout in this draft (Drake London, Treylon Burks, Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, Jameson Williams) are off the board, Tennessee should definitely take an offensive lineman.

Even if one of those five are available, which wasn’t the case in Easterling’s mock, Tennessee could still go offensive lineman at No. 26 overall thanks to needs at both guard and tackle.

Smith was the best offensive lineman left in this mock in that spot, as guys like Kenyon Green, Zion Johnson and Trevor Penning, all of whom are possibilities at No. 26 overall, were off the board. Central Michigan’s Bernhard Raimann was available as well.

Two receivers who were still around were North Dakota State’s Christian Watson, who was named the Titans’ best-case scenario in the first round by ESPN’s Mel Kiper, and Penn State’s Jahan Dotson.

There’s a lot of fans who won’t be too pleased with the team waiting until the third round to take a wide receiver, but it’s something they should be ready for.

Shakir, who also offers return experience, will operate out of the slot at the next level, and while he does have at least some capability as a deep threat, he’ll be doing the vast majority of his damage in the short-to-intermediate area. He isn’t much of a blocker, either.

[lawrence-related id=87239,87228,87162]

[listicle id=87195]

Giants hosted OL Tyler Smith on a top-30 visit

The New York Giants recently hosted Tulsa offensive lineman Tyler Smith on a top-30 visit.

As the 2022 NFL draft rapidly approaches, a priority position of need remains obvious for the New York Giants along the offensive line.

Big Blue’s offensive line has been less than ideal for a long time and it’s evident the Giants will need to get better in that area if they plan to improve their offense as a whole.

Although many early mocks had the Giants selecting two offensive linemen to place alongside Andrew Thomas, more recent mock drafts have the Giants taking a defensive player at either pick No. 5 or No. 7. It also can’t be ruled out that the Giants may trade either or both of those first-round picks.

It’s hard to say how the first round will play out but it is clear the Giants are making plans for the second round should offensive tackle still be a need for Big Blue.

The Giants hosted Tulsa offensive lineman Tyler Smith recently, per Matt Lombardo of GMENHQ.

New general manager Joe Schoen made it clear he wants to build through the draft but the Giants’ front office also knows it won’t be a quick fix on the offensive line. The previous regime tried to fix the line with band-aids, hypothetically speaking, and we know how that worked out.

Smith was a redshirt sophomore at Tulsa and has great upside. Although his game needs some work, the belief is that he can be a starter for years to come in just a few short years with some polishing.

The Giants need to find the right offensive linemen to team up with Andrew Thomas who made big strides in his sophomore season this past year. Protecting Daniel Jones and whoever the quarterback might be past 2022 should be the Giants’ priority in fixing the offense.

Follow the Giants Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[pickup_prop id=”22471″]

2022 NFL draft: The top 11 offensive tackles

Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar breaks down the 11 best offensive tackle in the 2022 NFL draft class.

If you want to know the hit rate for the top offensive tackles in any draft class, consider this. Since 2010, there have been 44 players taken in the first round who were designated as offensive tackles in their draft classes. Just eight have at least one First-Team All-Pro selection. Only 14 have been selected to at least one Pro Bowl. Three (Isaiah Wilson, Tennessee Titans, 2020/Andre Dillard, Philadelphia Eagles, 2019/Derek Sherrod, Green Bay Packers, 2011) have not been primary starters in the NFL.

For every Trent Williams, Tyron Smith, and Ronnie Stanley — the guys who immediately and consistently define their offenses with their excellence — there’s a Jake Matthews, Nate Solder, or Luke Joeckel (players who have great moments, but tread water more than anything else), and there’s certainly at least one Ereck Flowers, Ja’Wuan James, or Andrew Thomas (the players who wind up making you wonder what everybody in the room was thinking).

This is not to specifically malign the players who do not succeed at the NFL level, despite having what some shot-caller in some front office determined to be first-round talent. It’s more to say that being a great left or right tackle in the pros is really, really hard to do. Different offensive systems require different things from their tackles, but for the most part, you’d better have aggressive hands, excellent, light feet, the mentality to dominate, the agility to take on the NFL’s best speed-rushers, and the intelligence and reaction ability to deal with blitzes and stunts.

Those are the basics. From there, the hope is that you’ll continue to excel despite any physical limitations. Maybe your wingspan isn’t what the NFL wants it to be. Maybe your upper-body strength isn’t exactly an advertisement for your college weightroom. Perhaps your college coaches didn’t teach you this or that technique that would help you in the NFL, and you have to hope that your NFL coaches will see these things and make them better.

Sometimes, you’re able to transcend these things. More often, you’re not.

This year’s offensive tackles appear to be part of a class that is top-heavy and deep. But there’s no guarantee that any of them will become true dominators at the NFL level, no matter how much they may have owned the defenders they faced in college.

Here are the top 11 offensive tackles in the 2022 NFL draft, the attributes that best indicate their transitions to the NFL, and the things that might get in the way.

(All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus and Sports Info Solutions unless otherwise indicated. All testing data comes from the 2022 scouting combine, with percentile per position, courtesy of MockDraftable.com). 

2022 NFL draft: Tyler Smith scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Tulsa offensive lineman Tyler Smith

A mauler with prototypical size, Tulsa’s Tyler Smith will need to button up his skill set in hopes of becoming a blindside protector at the next level as he enters the 2022 NFL draft:

Here is everything you need to know about this versatile blocker from the Golden Hurricane:

Eagles have top-30 visits scheduled with three of the NFL draft’s top prospects

Kayvon Thibodeaux and Perrion Winfrey are among the NFL draft prospects set to have top-30 visits with the Philadelphia Eagles

As the NFL draft approaches this month, the top-30 pre-draft visits are heating up around the league, with Philadelphia set to host three top prospects.

According to various reports, Oregon All-American pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux is among three players set to visit the NovaCare Complex in the coming days.

The news follows reports that Ahamd ‘Sauce’ Gardner will also visit the Eagles this weekend, as Howie Roseman does his due diligence on potential players he might want to trade up for.

2022 NFL mock draft: David Dorey

The Huddle’s David Dorey releases his first NFL mock draft of 2022.

David Dorey’s first mock draft of 2022 is now out. Sound off on social media and let us know what you think.

We’ll be unveiling several more mock drafts leading up to the real thing, so be sure to check back with our 2022 NFL Draft Central page to keep track of all of our offerings.

2022 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1

Pick Team Pos Player School
1 Jacksonville Jaguars EDGE Aidan Hutchinson Michigan
2 Detroit Lions EDGE Travon Walker Georgia
3 Houston Texans S Kyle Hamilton Notre Dame
4 New York Jets OT Ickey Ekwonu N.C. State
5 New York Giants EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux Oregon
6 Carolina Panthers OT Evan Neal Alabama
7 New York Giants (via CHI) CB Sauce Gardner Cincinnati
8 Atlanta Falcons OT Charles Cross Mississippi State
9 Seattle Seahawks (via DEN) OT Trevor Penning Northern Iowa
10 New York Jets (via SEA) WR Treylon Burks Arkansas
11 Washington Commanders CB Derek Stingley Jr. LSU
12 Minnesota Vikings EDGE George Karlaftis Purdue
13 Houston Texans (via CLE) WR Drake London USC
14 Baltimore Ravens C Tyler Linderbaum Iowa
15 Philadelphia Eagles (via MIA) CB Trent McDuffie Washington
16 Philadelphia Eagles (via IND) WR Chris Olave Ohio State
17 Los Angeles Chargers LB Devin Lloyd Utah
18 New Orleans Saints EDGE David Ojabo Michigan
19 Philadelphia Eagles EDGE Jermaine Johnson II Florida State
20 Pittsburgh Steelers WR Garrett Wilson Ohio State
21 New England Patriots LB Nakobe Dean Georgia
22 Green Bay Packers (via LV) WR Jameson Williams Alabama
23 Arizona Cardinals CB Kyler Gordon Washington
24 Dallas Cowboys OT Tyler Smith Tulsa
25 Buffalo Bills RB Breece Hall Iowa State
26 Tennessee Titans WR Jahan Dotson Penn State
27 Tampa Bay Buccaneers OG Zion Johnson Boston College
28 Green Bay Packers OT Bernhard Raimann Central Michigan
29 Kansas City Chiefs (via MIA) WR John Metchie III Alabama
30 Kansas City Chiefs CB Andrew Booth Clemson
31 Cincinnati Bengals S Dax Hill Michigan
32 Detroit Lions (via LAR) QB Kenny Pickett Pittsburgh

Seven round Browns mock draft from Mock Draft Database

What happens when the computer and @joshkeatley16 seemingly merge for a mock draft simulator? A very different kind of Browns mock draft:

This week the NFL Scouting Combine is in full swing and like most NFL fanatics it is always a bright spot in the off-season to get the testing results, but we have to make do with what we currently have. We have been using mock draft simulators from The Draft Network, but I wanted to mix it up this week and try out the interesting mock on NFL Mock Draft Database.

Just like in previous versions, I did an automated simulation without my opinion. In the following slides, I will provide the simulation’s selection and then my choice instead in the next slide. To be honest, I was actually shocked I agreed with so many of the selections.