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2015 NFL Draft Profile: WR Devin Smith, OSU

By Chris Schisler

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Devin Smith finished his college career in the limelight, as part of the Ohio State Buckeyes National Championship win. Smith, whose production came mostly from deep routes, made the big plays in the big moments of the championship run. It can be argued that how Smith finished the season, catapulted him into the possibility of being a 1st Round pick.

His big streak started in the Big 10 Championship Game against Wisconsin. Smith had 4 receptions for 137 yards and three touchdowns in Ohio State’s 59-0 victory. In the Sugar Bowl he had 2 receptions for 87 yards and one touchdown. He only had one catch in the National Championship Game but it went for 45 yards in Ohio State’s favor.

Smith was not the most consistently productive player over his amateur career. The most receptions he ever had in a season was 44 in 2013. The 2014 season was really a statement on who he really is as a player. He caught 33 receptions and had 931 yards with 12 touchdowns. You won’t believe his average yards per reception. He averaged a whopping 28.2 yards a catch in his senior season.

Smith now must prove that he is more than just a deep threat in the NFL.

GMENHQ Big Board Ranking: 47th Overall Prospect

Strengths:

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  • Smith can take the top off the defense (40 time of 4.42 seconds)
  • Insane vertical ability (Vertical jump of 39 inches)
  • Instant red zone weapon

Concerns:

  • Does not have ideal size
  • Not a great route runner: He runs good deep routes but he needs to develop more on the route tree
  • Inconsistent hands

Smith projects to be a deep threat, whose vertical ability could help him be productive in the red zone. He strikes me as a slot receiver who will run a ton on seam routes and deep posts. He could develop into a Torrey Smith or a Mike Wallace type receiver. I doubt that he will be a No. 1 receiver but his ability to catch the deep ball will make him a hot commodity in the NFL.

The New York Giants have more pressing needs in the early rounds. Smith will be on the Giants radar, as they tend to draft receivers high. He would probably be an upgrade to Rueben Randle as the 3rd receiving option. There is a case to bring Smith to the Giants in the second round, but it seems more likely the Giants will go elsewhere.

Next: 2015 NFL Draft Profile: TE Maxx Williams, Minnesota

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