Player: Tyler Smith

School: Tulsa

Height and Weight: 6’6”, 332

Combine Results:

• 40: 5.02
• Bench: DNP
• Vertical Jump: 27.5”
• Broad Jump: 8’9”
• 3 Cone: 7.78
• 20 Yard Shuttle: 4.65

Strengths: Power, run blocking, power rusher blocking

Weaknesses: Tries to chip inside, speed, hand placement, kick slide technique

Projected Draft Day: Late Day 1/Day 2

Player Comparison: Alejandro Villanueva

Player Summary: Tyler Smith is a player getting a lot of hype, and although I think he’s a solid prospect, he certainly has some red flags in my eyes. The first thing I notice is that on passing downs it looks like he has a tendency to look and chip inside before kick sliding back to block the edge player. That’s a major issue because against the top speed rushers he isn’t going to have a chance if he chips first. His kick slide technique is concerning and not because of his footwork. His arms are basically at his side and he stands straight up on his kick slide; that is a bad combination of issues to have. When he does shoot his hands it looks like his hands are typically placed around the shoulder pad area, which could foreshadow a potential penalty issue.

In terms of the positives, Smith is a big, powerful tackle. He is a strong run defender who doesn’t seem to have issues getting to the second level. As a pass protector overall, I don’t think he’s bad. I think he definitely has better tape against power rushers or more balanced rushers. He doesn’t have the greatest feet in the world, so pure speed rushers seemed to give him more problems, but he never gave up which you love to see. Overall, Smith is a pretty solid prospect. In an ideal world, I would have Smith sit for a year or two behind an established veteran who could help work on his technique, but if you need him to start right away I think he could handle it.

The only other note I had on Smith is that he seemed to primarily use a 2-point stance at Tulsa. I’m sure he can, but I would want to know how comfortable he is firing out of a 3-point stance.