Extremely talented pure football player.
But with very good athletic skills.
Rep as a hard worker.
Succeeded on the field against top college talent.
And he delivers in big games.
I'm generally against drafting WRs high and think the "give Jones weapons" line is a bunch of bs. But I look at Smith and that resume and ability and it's very hard to see a team picking at 11 saying "Nah, we're good." His size maybe disqualifies him from being a top 5 pick, but we are at 11.
Anyone else step back from all the draft evaluations and details with this question: "how could the Giants NOT pick him?"
D Smith seems like a low floor (due to durability) high ceiling (if he can dominate the NFL as he did in the SEC) guy.
D Smith isn't a "throw the remote" pick for me, but frankly, I'd rather the Giants go with more of a sure thing at #11.
Waddle breakdown - ( New Window )
The new rules also protect defenseless receivers which should allow someone like Smith to be lower risk.
Would be almost shocking if Giants pass on him if he is available at #11.
What's more indicative is his 47 career games. Was he generally available to play? Did he gut out minor injuries? Unequivocally yes. People forget how often Plaxico Burress was dinged up. He was always nursing something or other and routinely missed practices and he was 6'6" and 230. Engram is is a rock solid 240lbs and misses an avg 3/4 games a season.
Would you prefer that Smith was 6'1" and 190? Of course. But few prospects tick every box and still perform how you expect them to at the NFL level. Smith is a professional and a gamer. He will be there when it counts barring a serious injury.
Our current (including Golladay, Ross and Rudolph) WRs and TEs can get open if Jones has an average amount of time to throw.
Adding a starting offensive lineman makes both Jones and Barkley more effective.
Adding another stud to the defense reduces the number of points the offense has to score and gives the offense better field position.
It's not as simple as just adding another WR to the mix IMHO with the 11th overall pick. These is supposedly a very deep WR class. There will be talent on day 2 at the WR position.
I don't disagree. They both are great players, I kind of look at them as 1A and 1B... lol. I'd be happy with either. I think Smith is the better receiver and he plays tougher than his size (IMO) but that "Tyreek Hill" type dynamic makes Waddle soooo interesting... lol.
I actually believe Waddle will not be there at 11 and Smith will be. I think the selections go Chase-Waddle, prior to us.
Our current (including Golladay, Ross and Rudolph) WRs and TEs can get open if Jones has an average amount of time to throw.
Adding a starting offensive lineman makes both Jones and Barkley more effective.
Adding another stud to the defense reduces the number of points the offense has to score and gives the offense better field position.
It's not as simple as just adding another WR to the mix IMHO with the 11th overall pick. These is supposedly a very deep WR class. There will be talent on day 2 at the WR position.
I agree. I’m not even certain of this glaring need at receiver that most of BBI appears to believe.
Unless Waddle demonstrates that he is fully healthy prior to the draft I am not sure you can draft him at 11. In the National Championship Game he clearly did not look the same WR and against the same defense Smith was dominant.
But yes, if Getteleman were to pass on Smith, Mara would have the guys in the big white van escort him off the premises in a straight jacket.
:dunno:
The value of slater or sewell is close to smith so need meets value pretty well for one of those 2 guys. parsons too if you feel he can bring a good amount of rush ability (which i think he can).
So even with Parsons, for whom none of us know about his intangibles, there's going to be someone awfully good available. Based on experience it means the Giants will probably pick someone else like Jaycee Horn or Toney some other curve ball. I wouldn't be too thrilled about Ojulari at that spot, but I suppose it could be. It should be a fun evening.
Watch. They'll take the CB.
What's more indicative is his 47 career games. Was he generally available to play? Did he gut out minor injuries? Unequivocally yes. People forget how often Plaxico Burress was dinged up. He was always nursing something or other and routinely missed practices and he was 6'6" and 230. Engram is is a rock solid 240lbs and misses an avg 3/4 games a season.
Would you prefer that Smith was 6'1" and 190? Of course. But few prospects tick every box and still perform how you expect them to at the NFL level. Smith is a professional and a gamer. He will be there when it counts barring a serious injury.
This is the way I look at it as well. Originally didn't like him during the season because of the size issue, but if he were 190lbs he would be going top 5. After keying in on him a bit more I feel like he does a great job of avoiding hits (a really undervalued skill for guys that carry the ball, especially the undersized ones).
It's all about hands, and regardless he can play a ton of line if he can't. But the way he's a technician in his routes, I'd imagine he brings the same skills to get off press coverage.
If not, a slight trade back and grab whoever their pass rusher unless someone like Sewell drops, or if no trade partner they’ll take their pass rusher at 11. If they get a WR at 11, I wouldn’t be surprised if they trade back up into the 1st round to get an Edge they feel won’t make it to their 2nd round pick.
My feeling is that the team probably feels that if they get the WR or Edge they want will be an immediate contributor to the team whereas an OL may not be an immediate starter over what they have now.
I don't disagree however I don't think any position in 1st round makes me less nervous. They all seem equal in their opportunity to boom or bust. As long as Giants are picking the best player on their board I really don't care what the position is.
Based on what? Name one CB who successfully and consistently jammed Smith at the LOS during any game.
And...go...
He WILL be there.
Marvin Harrison was drafted 19th and Isaac Bruce 33rd. No neither had the production of Devonta but the slight framed guys don't usually make the top 10. Devonta could be an exception but maybe not. This is a deep draft and these teams could easily go WR in a later round too.
Disagree, if a player can get as open as often as Smith does, you take the TD maker. He is the most ready to start WR in the draft. The only other OL that could make an argument will be long gone when we pick in Sewell. Between Smith and ANY other OL, I take the guy that can run rputes to make DBs look silly.