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Washington Redskins 2016 Draft Profiles: Ryan Smith, CB

Hogs Haven takes a look at 2016 draft prospects who could help the Redskins.

News and Observer

Ryan Smith, CB
School: NC Central University | Conference: MEAC
College Experience: Senior | Age: 22
Height / Weight: 5-11 / 189 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 4th-6th Round
NFL Comparison: Orlando Scandrick

College Statistics

TACKLES GP UA A Total TFL TFLY PD FF FR BLK
2012 11 35 30 65 2.5 21 8 0 4 0
2013 12 51 37 88 1.5 1 5 1 3 1
2014 12 44 14 58 1.5 3 7 0 1 0
2015 10 38 14 52 1.5 5 11 0 0 0

KICK RETURNS GP NO Yards TD Long Avg/R Avg/G
2012 11 0 0 0 0 0.0 0.0
2013 12 0 0 0 0 0.0 0.0
2014 12 0 0 0 0 0.0 0.0
2015 10 14 394 1 95 28.1 39.4
Total 45 14 394 1 95 28.1 8.8

INTERCEPTIONS GP NO Yards TD Long Avg/R Avg/G
2012 11 3 46 0 27 15.3 4.2
2013 12 2 1 0 1 0.5 0.1
2014 12 0 0 0 0 0.0 0.0
2015 10 2 16 0 11 8.0 1.6
Total 45 7 63 0 27 9.0 1.4

Player Overview

Ryan Smith went to school at my Alma Mater, making him probably the best draft prospect in 2016. That's just a fact. Not only does Smith have ties to Durham, NC, he should feel right at home playing for the Redskins, being from Upper Marlboro, MD.

NC Central University was the only school to offer Smith even a partial scholarship, according to the Charlotte Observer. During his time in Durham he was a 4-time All-MEAC selection. Now Smith is predicted by prognosticators to be drafted somewhere between day 2 and 3 of the NFL Draft.

Smith has the speed to run with NFL receivers, but may need a year or two of seasoning to adjust to the competition gap between the MEAC and the NFL.

Most think that Smith's role in the NFL will be to cover slot receivers, as he doesn't have the weight yet to match up with some of the NFL's bigger number one receivers.

Strengths

  • Fast, ran a 4.47 forty at the NFL Combine.
  • Maximum effort player.
  • Seemed to step up his game against better competition, had splash plays against Duke when they played in their annual match-up.
  • Good at breaking on the ball when it's in the air.
  • Gets head and hips turned around to defend passes downfield.

Weaknesses

  • A bit on the small side for an NFL corner, will likely need to add some weight.
  • Better zone defender than man-on-man.






Combine Results

40-Yard Dash: 4.47

Bench Press: 18 Reps

Vertical: 36"

3-Cone Drill: 3.88

20-Yard Shuttle: 4.09

How He Would Fit on the Redskins

With the Redskins suddenly kind of stacked at corner, Smith would have to make the team on special teams and in the slot. He won't push Josh Norman,Bashaud Breeland or a healthy Chris Culliver out of a starting job, but he could compete with Dunbar and Blackmon for the 4th-5th spot.  With McCloughan's history of getting mid and late-round defensive back gems, maybe Smith will be the next surprise.

The Redskins can always use a good developmental DB...that's always a fit.