Cam Smith – Cornerback – 22 – Junior – South Carolina
Height: 1m83
Weight: 85kg
2022 stats: 11 games, 27 tackles, 5 passes defended, 1 interception
Estimated draft position: 1st-2nd round
NFL Comparison: Roger McCreary
Strong points
- Instinct and sense of anticipation
- Aggressiveness and intensity in the duel
- Fluidity of movement
In a relatively fluctuating vintage, a player seems to keep a certain rating in the eyes of the scouts. It must be said that over the past three years, Cam Smith has become the real control tower of one of the most intriguing defensive backfields in the country, in the best national conference.
It is difficult to find a more complete profile than that of the Gamecock. Very fluid in his movements, the defender not only has the ability to follow his vis-à-vis but also the athletic qualities to react and anticipate the game to take the quarterback if he fails.
This ability is perfected by a very good football IQ and fearsome instincts in such a strategic position. Less beefy than other stars of this draftSmith nonetheless remains valiant, with a will to duel and a notable intensity when it comes to grappling on his opponent.
Weak points
- Finishing actions
- Wandering hands
What seems above all to be lacking in the game of the person concerned is undoubtedly a bit of discipline. For as polite as he was, Smith seemed to have relative production, especially during his final months on the Columbia campus.
His way of finishing actions on the ground game seems perfectible: his tackling technique is sometimes quite light. And in the air, he seems to favor pass cutting thanks to his long arms rather than interception.
If his hands are not sufficiently on the ball, on the other hand they have dragged a lot on the opponents. In a backfield provided, Smith conceded 10 penalty tissues in 2022. A data linked either to guilty hesitations or to a slight physical deficit. This last point can put him in difficulty against strong receivers or on the contrary extremely lively.
Possible destinations
Baltimore Ravens, Jacksonville Jaguars, Washington Commanders, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, San Francisco 49ers
Cam Smith does not really have the features of the mysterious candidate. With him, the franchises should know what to expect: a quality player, a soldier who should be quickly operational, but who may still lack that killer instinct and the ability to be a number 1 cornerback. in the elite.
The abyss is not flagrant and its shortcomings can be filled by adequate coaching staff; even more in a defensive system focusing primarily on coverage in the zone.
