Washington Redskins 2016 Draft Profiles: Terrance Smith, ILB

Terrance Smith, ILB
School: Florida State | Conference: ACC
College Experience: Senior | Age: 22
Height / Weight: 6-3 / 235 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 5th or 6th Round
NFL Comparison: Alec Ogletree

College Statistics

Player Overview

Terrance Smith is one of the better athletes in this year's ILB class. He flies to the ball and is fluid and fast enough to close on the ball carrier and drop back into coverage. He plays aggressively with obvious passion and never quits on a play. He has the play speed and range you like to see of out your linebackers when he runs sideline to sideline. Smith plays with great instincts and decisiveness.

All the things that work positively for him can also be negatives at times too. Sometimes he will overpursue and take bad angles. He relies heavily on his physical abilities and gets too cocky at times leaving too much space between him and the receiver he is covering. Smith has obvious talent and has a football pedigree (son of the late Terry Smith former Clemson / Colts WR). Talent and instincts for the position have never been a problem for Smith, rather inconsistency in play and injuries have hampered his production over his college career. Smith is also scheme versatile. He played outside and inside at Florida State. Smith has a chance to further improve his draft stock at FSU's pro day at the end of March.

Strengths

• Athletic and has good size to play the middle. Closes to his target quickly.
• Can drop back into coverage and stick with RB's and TE's.
• Takes on blockers well can shed and break free and make a play.
• Has the range to play sideline to sideline and is a mostly solid tackler.

Weaknesses

• Injury history. Missed 2 games in 2014 due to a neck injury. Missed 4 games in 2015 due to an ankle injury.
• Needs coaching up in all areas he has the athletic talent just needs to improve his football IQ, technique and fundamentals.
• Plays wildly and reckless sometimes leading to missed plays he has 24 missed tackles over the last two seasons.

Let's see his work: 

Another LB I really liked in the Peach Bowl was Florida State's Terrance Smith. He's big, rangy, and can cover.

— Ethan Young (@NFLDrafter) January 9, 2016

RETWEET to VOTE for Florida State's Terrance Smith for our 2014 Deion Award - Best PICK SIX of the season: pic.twitter.com/IbKbEigFIk

— Pick Six Previews (@PickSixPreviews) August 28, 2015

omg look out bruh https://t.co/uek2Y3I4sP

— Sean Breslin (@Sean_Breslin) November 14, 2015

Terrance Smith being back for the FSU defense is big because it means that one of FSU's linebackers is not awful in coverage.

— Bud Elliott (@TomahawkNation) November 7, 2015

Combine Results

How He Would Fit on the Redskins

Terrence Smith could be another late round option for the Redskins if they are looking to add depth to the ILB core. Smith checks most of the boxes with the athleticism and size (added about 10 lbs between the end of the season and the combine) Redskins fans want but lacks what his higher rated ILB counterparts have which are better tackling fundamentals, thumper ability, and durability. Smith has all the athletic tools and would be a nice immediate addition to special teams. He has the potential to develop into a quality starter in both a 3-4 and 4-3 scheme. It may serve him well to be drafted on a team where he doesn't have to contribute a lot out of the gate with the Redskins he would be behind players like Will Compton, Mason Foster, and Martrell Spaight. He should improve vastly with a couple years of NFL coaching that improve his consistency and especially if he can put to bed his durability concerns. The Redskins could always use a player that brings the intensity that Smith brings and is willing to do the dirty work on special teams.