2015 NFL Draft: Final Big Board Prospects 26-50

Nov 29, 2014; Fresno, CA, USA; Fresno State Bulldogs free safety Derron Smith (13) reacts after a play against the Hawaii Warriors in the fourth quarter at Bulldog Stadium. The Bulldogs defeated the Warriors 28-21. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

37. Derron Smith, FS (Fresno State)

Derron Smith is a somewhat undersized free safety but he is a ball hawk with great instincts. At the free safety position I don’t get overly concerned about size; they said Ed Reed was to small, how did that turn out? Smith has a nose for the football and therefore is an intriguing prospect.

Smith has good speed, at his pro day he ran a 4.6 second 40 yard dash. For a 5-10 and 200 pound free safety he is incredibly strong. He bench pressed 225 pounds 18 times at his pro day; he also had a 34 inch vertical jump which shows explosive leg strength.

In four seasons with the Fresno State Bulldogs, he had 15 interceptions, returning 2 of them for touchdowns. With just 25 passes defended, this is an incredible rate of interceptions. Smith was good for about 80 tackles a season. Showing how quickly he can diagnose plays, he had 13.5 tackles for a loss and four sacks. This is a free safety folks, not a strong safety that lingers in the box.

Derron Smith is an exceptional value in the second round. This is a player who may prove to be better than players drafted ahead of him.

Next: 38. Paul Dawson, LB (TCU)