Prospect Update: Andre Smith pt. 3

Per SFgate.com:

"Although Alabama tackle Andre Smith was definitely getting "jiggly" with it when he ran his 40-yard dash shirtless in his pro day workout, the 49ers nevertheless came away with a positive opinion about this potential draft pick on April 25.

The word from San Francisco's scouting department on the 325-pound Smith? "Impressed."

That's not easy to do for someone who showed up at the NFL combine last month out of shape and announced he would not be working out, and then left Indianapolis the next day without informing anyone.

Smith is one of several 49ers points of discussion as the team gets ready to begin its offseason workout program Monday."

Prospect Update: Andre Smith pt. 2

Per NFL Draft analyst Charles Davis:

We all went to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, today to see Andre Smith at his pro day workout.

There were other Alabama players involved. But, because Smith did not work out at the Scouting Combine; because he announced to everyone he had only been working out for a couple of weeks before Indy; because he just kind of left the next day after not doing the bench press at all and people didn’t know where he was … it kind of became a sideshow, which was unfortuante for him.

Everyone wanted to get a look. What had Smith been doing since that time?

He weighed in at 325, which wasn’t bad, because there had been reports in the past of him being north of 370 pounds. He bench pressed 225 pounds 19 times, which was OK since he has extremely long arms at almost 36 inches. So, that’s not bad, but it’s not great; he needs to get into the 20’s. The problem he really has is his physique. There’s no getting around it — he’s just not cut up. That doesn’t look good.

Smith’s 40 time was pedestrian, but I don’t think teams are really worried about a 40 time for a lineman. He didn’t run bad. I was standing next to some scouts who liked the way that he ran. He showed some fluidity.

All in all, for those teams that had dropped Smith on their draft boards after the scouting combine, I’m not sure he did that much to change their minds today. But for those who liked him prior to Indianapolis and wanted to give him a second chance, I think he did enough to keep them coming back and checking his progress leading up to the draft.

Smith is a difficult projection, because it’s all about what each team is going to feel. I had Smith at No. 6 in my last mock draft, but that was with an asterisk because I wanted to see how he performed today. I’m not sure where I’ll rank him from here on out. But I saw enough today that I’d love to go back in a month or two to see him again.

At the beginning of this whole process, Smith had a chance to be the No. 1 tackle in the draft, bar none. Now I don’t think he has a chance to be the top tackle on the consensus board, but it doesn’t mean he still might not be the second or third tackle off the board if a team doesn’t like what he does between now and the draft.

Expectedly, there was mixed reaction on Smith today. Here’s an example.

“I was pleasantly surprised,” said one pro personnel director. “He did a little bit more than I expected. I came in fearing the worst. I came in fearing that he hadn’t done a whole lot. You can tell he has a long way to go, but you can tell he’s done a few things.”

“I’m telling you right now, no way,” said one scout. “He showed me all he needed to show me by leaving in Indy. I wouldn’t have anything to do with him.”

If you didn’t like Smith before because of his actions in Indy, I don’t know if he gave you a reason today to make you want to follow his progress. But if you liked him before, and you want to give him a chance, he probably did enough to make that happen.

Prospect Update: Andre Smith pt. 1

Per NFL Prospect analyst Gil Brandt:

While Andre Smith may not have put forth sensational workout drill numbers, word out of Tuscaloosa is that he looked far better in his positional drills. The workout drills may not be totally indicative of Smith’s ability.

Weight issues and workout times are not always the best barometer of a prospect’s skill level. I’m reminded of former Pro Bowl lineman Nate Newton.

I signed Newton when I was with the Cowboys, the afternoon after the USFL went under and he weighed 295 pounds at the time (heavy for that day and age). Some of our coaches wondered how he would be able to perform at his size, but he wound up being one of the best players in the league at his position.

Not to say Smith will be the next Nate Newton, but he should not automatically be dismissed because of his weight or disappointing workout drill times — especially given his impressive college tape and solid performance in the positional drills.

That said, the initial impressions from Smith’s workout were not overly impressive. He came into his pro day hoping to post solid numbers and prove to scouts that he was in shape after showing up to the combine overweight and leaving Indianapolis unannounced without doing the drills.

He told Steve Wyche heading into the pro day, “There’s so much I’m putting into March 11. They say don’t put all your eggs in one basket but I’m doing that on this occasion because I feel like I need to give the best showing I can.”

Well, his workout times were unspectacular. He came in at 6-foot-4 ¼, 325 pounds and ran the 40-yard dash in 5.28 and 5.33 seconds. He had a 25-inch vertical, a 7-foot, 10-inch broad jump, a 7.88-second three-cone drill and 19 bench press reps at 225 pounds. He did the short shuttle in 4.93 seconds.

To put Smith’s workout drills in perspective, he did not post a single number that would have placed him in the top performers at his position at the combine and many of his numbers were not even close to the top 10 at his position at the combine.

Alabama Pro Day

As per NFL Prospect analyst Gil Brandt:

While Andre Smith received all of the attention at the Crimson Tide’s pro day, there were plenty of other notable prospects who worked out.

One of the best players there was safety Rashad Johnson (5-foot-11, 200 pounds). He was not always considered to be among the best, however. He had to walk on at Alabama just to make the team. Through hard work he has now turned himself into a fairly high draft choice. This just goes to show there’s room for all walk-ons to become stars.

He did not do the workout drills Wednesday, standing on his numbers from the combine. He did perform all the positional workouts.

Another Alabama prospect making a positive impression is Antoine Caldwell. The 6-3, 310 pound center stood on most of his numbers from the combine, but looked exceptional in the positional drills.

QB John Parker Wilson (6-1 ¾, 215 pounds) also kept his workout drill numbers from the combine, but showed great arm strength and touch in his positional workout (this is prefaced by the fact Alabama offensive coordinator Jim McElwain ran the drill).

A pair of notable players did do the workout drills and did so in front of all 32 teams, including Packers GM Ted Thompson and Panthers GM Marty Hurney.

TE Nick Walker measured in at 6-4 7/8, 253 pounds. He had a 4.97 and 4.98 40, a 31-inch vertical, a 4.99 short shuttle, a 7.90 three-cone drill and 14 bench press reps.

TE Travis McCall checked in at 6-2, 276. He had a 5.13 and 5.10 in the 40, a 28-inch vertical, a 4.68 short shuttle, a 7.63 three-cone drill and 20 bench press reps.

Matty's Big Board Prospect Countdown: 17!

Hey folks, the Super Bowl is behind us and it's time to focus on the next big event and that is the all powerful and mighty draft, which has the ability to take a team from the bottom of the barrel and turn them into a playoff caliber team (ex. Dolphins and Falcons). What I plan on doing is twice a week until draft weekend, I'll be counting down my top 25 prospects, discuss their strengths, weaknesses, overall impact in the NFL and potential landing spot. So, without further delay, I bring you the player who ranked number 17...

17. Andre Smith, OG/OT Alabama Crimson Tide

2008 Season Stats:
Outland Trophy Winner

Career Stats:
07-08 1st team All-SEC

Personal Stats:
6'4" 334 lbs. JR

Strengths:

Andre Smith is a beast of an offensive lineman and the pure definition of road grater. He is a wide bodied, long armed beast of a lad, he is a crushing run blocker and a well balanced pass blocker as he knows how to lock out, sink his hips and anchor against bullrushers and react to more finesse moves. He has fairly good athleticism and mechanics and definitely has a lot of upside and potential considering how young he is and the frame he has where he should be able to make himself a tad lighter so he can be quicker against speed rushers. He gets to the second level fairly well and blocks nicely in space, he has a mean streak and all the intangibles to be a solid NFL lineman.

Weaknesses:

Andre Smith has a few weaknesses, the most blatant and obvious one now is his severe lack of maturity. Andre Smith proved to be not ready for the rigors and bright lights of NFL when he came off as immature in his interviews and proved to be ridiculously unprepared as he was overweight, out of shape and not ready to handle his duties for the biggest job interview of his life. He also lacks the ideal athletic ability and height to be a great offensive tackle in at the next level, though he has long arms he has short legs and tends to bend at his hips a lot when he should be bending at the knees.

Overall:

Andre Smith has done a lot for his career at Alabama, but he has also done a lot to hurt it as well. Getting suspended for the Sugar Bowl, not interviewing well and leaving the combine early are all red flags but I believe some team will find the upside in Andre Smith and get themselves a Pro Bowl player. I feel he won't be a tackle at the next level but an elite guard, much like Davin Joseph, Shawn Andrews and Leonard Davis. I think he has a lot of value and versatility but considering his character red flags I would be tentative to give him a lot of guaranteed money that a top 5 to 10 selection warrants.



Projected NFL Destination:

With the 16th selection, the San Diego Chargers select...









There you have it folks, be sure to tune in later this week for Prospect #16!