Chiefs Draft Prospect: Baylor OT Jason Smith
by Chris Thorman on Mar 4, 2009 7:24 AM CST
in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Draft
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via NFL.com
Quick Hits:
School: Baylor (5th year senior)
Height/Weight: 6'5", 310 lbs.
Position: Played in 19 games in college as left tackle at 11 as a right tackle
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Yesterday, 15 teams attended the Baylor University Pro Day. In reality, it was the Jason Smith Pro Day.
Described by the Matt Hinton (the greatest sports blogger I've ever read) as "the most obscure elite draft prospect since at least 1989," OT Jason Smith of Baylor is currently sitting at least in the top ten, if not the top five of most NFL mock drafts. His name has been mentioned alongside other top offensive line picks like Michael Oher, Andre Smith and Eugene Monroe. And increasingly, Smith's name is at the top of that list.
Since Jason Smith has played relatively few games at the tackle position, he's getting the "raw" label which generally doesn't project well for top five draft picks. He has the size and the athleticism to play in the NFL but will the Chiefs take him?
Click over for a full write up on Jason Smith.
College playing experience
Like Matt Hinton said, it's only been until really this past year that Jason Smith has risen to the top of the prospect list. Until the 2008 season, he was a relatively unknown player on a Baylor team that got little, if any, national media coverage.
2004
- Offensive MVP of the scout team as a freshman tight end
2005
- Red shirt freshman that appeared in 11 games
- Started six of those games at tight end
- Named team's most improved player
2006
- Played in 12 and played on every snap in 11 of those games
- Moved from tight end to tackle, starting each game at right tackle
2007
- Started the season at left tackle
- Only played in seven games because of a medial collateral ligament sprain in his right knee
- All-Big Twelve Conference honorable mention from the Associated Press
- 4.0 grade point average
2008
- Led the Big 12 with 17 touchdown resulting blocks as a left tackle
- All-American first team
- Major reason Baylor ranked 3rd in the Big 12 in rushing
As you can imagine, since he was attending Baylor, Smith was able to garner lots of school accolades. Smith broke the school record for knockdowns in 2008 and is only the 10th offensive linemen in school history earn All-American honors.
Stats
| Stats | GM | Plays | Pancake blocks | TD Blocks | Downfield blocks | Pressures Allowed | Sacks allowed |
| 2007 | 7 | 436 | 47 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 2008 | 12 | 711 | 96 | 17 | 13 | 2 | 3.5 |
| Total | 19 | 1147 | 143 | 23 | 15 | 3 | 4.5 |
Courtesy of NFL Draft Scout, here are Smith's stats over the last two years.The Big 12 isn't exactly known for it's defense but Smith faced his share of decent pass rushers on the left side of the line, doing a great job of containing Texas DE Sergio Kindle when Baylor played UT last year.
Speaking of pancake blocks, here's Smith from the Combine just a few weeks ago:
When I'm on the field, I take a lot of pride in physically assaulting somebody. As far as finishing them off, that's just a part of the block, so you don't really think too much of it because that's what you go on the field to do. So it's just something I practice real hard at, and I practice real hard at practicing, and when its game time it just happens natural.
By all accounts, Smith is a stand out character guy as well as an aggressive player, getting good grades and mentoring young players.
Injury concerns?
Smith missed time in 2007 because of a sprained MCL in his knee which he suffered in the season opener. He came back after three games, tweaked his knee again the next week, and ended up taking more time off.
Is his injury history a concern? None whatsoever. Smith has shown that his knee injury was a fluke and not an indicator of having the injury bug by any stretch of the imagination. He came back in 2008 and played in every game for the Bears.
Draft prospects
Like I mentioned in the intro, Smith is consistently in the top five if not the top ten of most NFL mock drafts. He's quietly crept into the #1 OT prospect spot as players like Virignia OT Eugene Monroe were hurt slightly by their Combine performances and injury rumors.
It's possible that Smith jumps into the top five of the draft but he may end up being a bit too "raw" for that. Smith has only recently in his career fully committed to being a left tackle, which may make some teams more inclined to pick a guy like Eugene Monroe who has more experience on the line. Smith also reportedly needs to put on some weight to compete at the next level.
Smith may not be good enough to warrant a top five draft pick but I doubt he falls past the Jacksonville Jaguars at #9.
Should the Kansas City Chiefs draft him?
If Aaron Curry is gone, then I think the Chiefs may take a long hard look at Jason Smith if they can't trade away this #3 pick. In fact, I'd almost guarantee the Chiefs go offensive line if Curry is gone. It's the best value at that draft spot. It could be Monroe or Smith I believe.
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It wasn't a top-5 pick
but I seem to recall KC drafting a guard to be the starting LT last season. I think that worked out alright.
Smith is my favorite Offensive Tackle
and I could see us taking him even if Curry is still on the board. It all starts with the o-line, and there may be other solid 3-4 Linebackers to be had in Round 3
Marley will be walking soon...she could probably play Linebacker better than some of the guys we had.
People should not overlook the 4.0 GPA
that is a good attribute for an o-lineman
Marley will be walking soon...she could probably play Linebacker better than some of the guys we had.
Cassel
Can’t throw this guy to the wolves as we’ve tried in the past. One could realistically make the argument that the Chiefs offense of the early 2000s was nearly all on the offensive line. As they clicked and gave a strong running game it opened up everything for Trent and we became unstoppable. But even bigger than being unstoppable, we didn’t have an injury to Trent (until Herm the QB killa came in).
This is an area I am amazed the staff took as long as it did to address. Whether it’s a stud in the top 3 or we get a starting RT and a RG on day two, it doesn’t matter, what does matter is that Cassel’s success is hinging on our o-line development.
home, of the....CHIEEEEEFS!
Just had a bad thought last night....
…We play the redskins this year. Who is set to line up against haynsworth? Maybe we could play croyle for just that game :)
Haynesworth has his contract now.
His history says he won’t put forth nearly as much effort now that he is filthy rich. He will still be good, but I don’t know that he’ll have that mean streak he had last year. Plus, we may get lucky and play them during one of the five games he misses on average each year due to injury.
Yeah we saw what that got us .........
Nothing in the playoffs,it takes d-fense to win super bowls! If aaron curry is there we have to take him,if not like you said go o-line,or even trade down for more picks! Now like ive said before,until we got cassel our o-line wasnt that important,i feel like we were one freeagent and a o-line draft pick (pick number 34) away from having a good 0-line and being able to get aaron at #3.I feel like tyler should have been givin a chance behind a good o-line before we give up on him,damn that dude has some raw talent ! What was it 21 td passes from behind the one of the worst o-lines in the nfl!
I was very much on board with D wins games,
But in this day and age, D keeps you in games. You still need the O to preform and to do so well. We’ve seen the days of amazing Offense and zero D; that didn’t work out so well for us. We haven’t seen the balanced approach with a killer D in years. So we need to shore up our O line and get a few quality D players. We need both, but one move at a time.
by Eastcoastransplant on Mar 4, 2009 5:33 PM CST up reply actions
Trade down?
The idea of trading down is starting to appeal to me. Suppose Curry and Smith were to go 1st and 2nd and Stafford were to fall to #3, Pioli may be able to make one heck of a trade. And, ultimately, it’s bodies that KC needs at this point. I’m thinking a trade with SF, their 1st/2nd/3rd for Matt Stafford.
The Warner visit
Was for leverage. Nothing else IMO.
by Joel Thorman on Mar 4, 2009 10:42 AM CST up reply actions
ya there was no way he was going to the niners
unless him and singletary where going to build a church or something.
FOUR F'S FIND UM FEEL UM FUGUM FORGET UM.
Noone will give 1st, 2nd, and 3rd for Stafford
We could maybe get someone to give us their 1st and 3rd this year or their 1st this year and 2nd next year.
I can't argue with that
I’m just going off of a trade value chart that would indicate it’s a reasonable trade. I think Stafford’s stock is pretty high, regardless.
I would trade 1 Glenn for 3 Brandons. I guess that’s all I’m really trying to say.
Completely agreed
I just think the trade value chart is inaccurate. It is a nice starting point, but nobody in their right mind would give up three first day picks for Stafford. However, I do think Stafford and Crabtree (before all of this injury nonsense) are both good trade-bait. I like Curry, but even if he’s still on the board we should see if anyone will bite on a trade. We have a lot of needs right now.
I dont see us trading down but
if we dont make some moves on some of these free agents then we need to get curry if he is available
FOUR F'S FIND UM FEEL UM FUGUM FORGET UM.
ive got one for ya..........
how about we trade cassel to denver and denver trades cutler to tampa,viks who ever and we get 4 first day draft picks,i would go for that too
!
jason smith
is a monster if curry is gone and he is still there we nab this guy he is nasty he plays hard and he is smart.
FOUR F'S FIND UM FEEL UM FUGUM FORGET UM.
Build from inside out
I’ll take Smith on KC fo sho. That would give us 2 stud lineman for the next decade.
I was sitting around thinking last night
if we dont lose the three stooges to trades (TG, LJ and BW) then we are only a couple of Olinemen and a more reliable WR away from being a very good offense.
"But what do I know, I'm AP's new assclown and I’m like an empty room with a large ECHO"
I agree with that
but i just want a rb that runs with passion and who actually blocks
FOUR F'S FIND UM FEEL UM FUGUM FORGET UM.
Denver has been known for being able to develop very good RB's
I don’t see it as a problem. Matter of fact, they don’t sign them to cap unfriendly deals since they know that it’s a position that can be developed.
I don’t think LJ’s the end-all, be-all and I think we can get a few to compete in training camp.
I miss Tony Richardson.
Bill Parcell’s: "You are what your record says you are."
"My job is not to collect talent, but to build a team. Individuals make the Pro Bowl. Teams win championships. That is our goal."—Chiefs GM Scott Pioli.
T-Rich
Our running game has never been the same without him; I’m talking sheer yardage not numbers of carries.
by Eastcoastransplant on Mar 4, 2009 5:37 PM CST up reply actions
To be fair...
LJ finally started doing some pass-blocking after his 2-week “vacation”. Maybe he somehow got a clue that a RB who won’t do that is not an “elite” back, but damages his own stats.
I’ve got an optimistic metacarpal that believes that LJ doesn’t forget that, and actually improves his pass-blocking game.
Not predicting that the prima donna will actually /do/ that. Just hopeful.
Cassel vs. Thigpen in Camp should improve the play of both.
Next on the need list: linebacker, and both lines
by Bleedingredandgold on Mar 4, 2009 12:12 PM CST up reply actions
Haley might be able to help "convince" him to pass-block
Marley will be walking soon...she could probably play Linebacker better than some of the guys we had.
Convince
Or Pioli can have some of his “relatives” drop on by and have a “chat” with LJ. :) Fugghedaboudit
by Eastcoastransplant on Mar 4, 2009 5:38 PM CST up reply actions
and if we can trade
lj for someone or get any type of value im down to do that jamaal can tear it up with a real line.
FOUR F'S FIND UM FEEL UM FUGUM FORGET UM.
Dont forget what Haleys comet did to Edgerrin in Arizona
He wanted out because all he did was block, remember, LJ is going to hate him if he stays, I havea feeling he is going to split time with who ever else starts this year.
YEP
Ithink we should try to get some picks for LJ,he hasnt ran hard since he sign that multi yr contract,all you have to do is touch the guy and he goes down!Lets see what jamal charles can do!
i like jamaal
but i like takin knowshon moreno 1st round, running game was horrible this year except LJ against 1st meeting with the broncos
O-Line first
While I agree that Defense is very important AND our weak link right now, and I also agree that Curry would be a great pick I still think our first priority should be the Offensive Line.
1. If we do not protect our quarterback it will not only cost us this year but probably will have long-term ramifications on health and performance of Cassel or whoever our “Franchise” quarterback is.
2. It takes a lot longer for an offensive Line playing together as a unit to become effective when comparing the line play on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. It’s not as easy to just plug in replacements.
2. A good offense will keep our defense off the field as much which should help their performance.
With all this in mind I think we should have a primary focus early in the draft on the O-line this year while always aware of relative qualities of players and not ignoring the BestPlayerAvailable. Later in the draft we can hope we get lucky picking Linebackers and Defensive Ends that are great athletes.
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