AmishCowboy
if you ain't first, you're last
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What do you think of this guy in the 2nd?, Comparision is Kevin Zeitler, who Alexander coached in Cincinnati:
Strengths
Built like a bank safe with broad chest, hulking arms and thick legs. Weight room strong and field strong. Good body control into initial contact. Absorbs contact and starts grinding. Mauler with power at the point of attack. Able to fist fight in trenches and hold his own against power players. Has strong hands and can lock on for the long haul when he gets a strong initial grab. Good drive blocker. Guard with some emergency tackle value. Has upper body power to cave-in defensive tackles on recovery blocks. Has enough pure power to slow bull-rushers. Punch is adequate.
Weaknesses
Plays at a slower pace than you would like. Eyes need to be quicker. Delayed in seeing and picking up twists. Lacks responsive feet to slide and catch blitzers and counter rush moves. Allows rushers to get into his frame. Power zone is narrow affecting balance. Doesn't have reactive athleticism to mirror opponents movements and keep blocks centered. Has a major hitch coming out of his stance when asked to pull. Needs to play faster with hands. Tardy second level climber. Plays robotic and top-heavy at times.
Draft Projection
Rounds 3-4
Sources Tell Us
"He's really strong but he's not a consistent block finisher because defenders can pull him off-balance. I thought he was much better in the early and middle parts of the season than he was at the end when his team really needed him." -- AFC team area scout
NFL Comparison
Kevin Zeitler
Bottom Line
Braden Smith has an NFL-ready frame and will impress evaluators with the eyeball test. When the eyeballs are focused on the tape, they will see a player who is more than capable of matching power with power, but can be too regimented in his movement and overall play. Smith is a grinder whose play could vary greatly based upon the matchup across from him. He has size and power, but the holes in his game are unlikely to be patched up with coaching. He can become an average to solid starter.
Strengths
Built like a bank safe with broad chest, hulking arms and thick legs. Weight room strong and field strong. Good body control into initial contact. Absorbs contact and starts grinding. Mauler with power at the point of attack. Able to fist fight in trenches and hold his own against power players. Has strong hands and can lock on for the long haul when he gets a strong initial grab. Good drive blocker. Guard with some emergency tackle value. Has upper body power to cave-in defensive tackles on recovery blocks. Has enough pure power to slow bull-rushers. Punch is adequate.
Weaknesses
Plays at a slower pace than you would like. Eyes need to be quicker. Delayed in seeing and picking up twists. Lacks responsive feet to slide and catch blitzers and counter rush moves. Allows rushers to get into his frame. Power zone is narrow affecting balance. Doesn't have reactive athleticism to mirror opponents movements and keep blocks centered. Has a major hitch coming out of his stance when asked to pull. Needs to play faster with hands. Tardy second level climber. Plays robotic and top-heavy at times.
Draft Projection
Rounds 3-4
Sources Tell Us
"He's really strong but he's not a consistent block finisher because defenders can pull him off-balance. I thought he was much better in the early and middle parts of the season than he was at the end when his team really needed him." -- AFC team area scout
NFL Comparison
Kevin Zeitler
Bottom Line
Braden Smith has an NFL-ready frame and will impress evaluators with the eyeball test. When the eyeballs are focused on the tape, they will see a player who is more than capable of matching power with power, but can be too regimented in his movement and overall play. Smith is a grinder whose play could vary greatly based upon the matchup across from him. He has size and power, but the holes in his game are unlikely to be patched up with coaching. He can become an average to solid starter.
