2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Christopher Smith (DB – Georgia)

As the NFL season winds down, FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL draft scouting reports before the combine in March. Here’s a look at Christopher Smith.

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2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Christopher Smith (DB – Georgia)

Christopher Smith (DB – Georgia)

5’11” – 195 lbs.

Background:

Played sparingly in 2018 (63 snaps) and 2019 (78) before starting in his last five appearances of the 2020 season, playing 415 snaps overall and finishing with 26 tackles and one breakup. Took over a full-time starting role in 2021, totaling 34 tackles, three interceptions, and four breakups, then saw his output expand to 61-5.0-1.0 with three interceptions and five breakups this past year.

Positives:

Two-plus-year starter for a premier program; primarily a high safety, but has some experience in the slot and box as well. The team trusted him to play anything from single-high to a robber role. Good pre-snap communicator. Very good athlete with impressive speed and explosiveness; looks fast playing downhill, and can provide support over the top in deep zone coverage. Has clean footwork on his backpedal and when transitioning to driving on a spot. Closes well to deliver hits or make quick tackles on crosses and other throws in front of him. Has the hips and feet to cover out of the slot. Appears to read routes relatively well, and on-ball production has been solid over the past two seasons. Shows good flexibility and plays with a low center of gravity. Leverage and solid functional strength allow him to take on blockers in run support. Reasonably reliable tackler who has missed just 14.6% of career attempts and generally shows effective wrap technique. Flashed as a pass-rusher this past season.

Negatives:

Spent five years in school and will be 23 as a rookie. Size is closer to adequate overall, and appears to have below-average length, which could impact his ability to play off of blocks, wrap up ballcarriers, or contest passes at the next level. There are some inefficiencies in the angles he takes in pursuit when playing the run. Some instances in which he’s playing out of control, leading to missed tackles. Probably not a viable option against inline tight ends.

Summary:
A smart, explosive, and intense defensive back who can play in single-high and Cover-2 shells on the back end of the defense or shade over the slot and work in man coverage against opposing receivers. Has all the tools to develop into a starter at the next level but will have to clean up some of his angles and show more consistent discipline as a tackler to reach his full potential. Doesn’t make quite the impact on the game former teammate Lewis Cine did last year, but could still carve out a long career in the league.

Projection: Round 3