Seven analysts assess new Dolphins cornerback Cam Smith
Feedback on the Dolphins’ selection of 6-0 South Carolina cornerback Cam Smith with the 51st pick in the NFL Draft:
▪ ESPN’s Mel Kiper; “There were some who thought he could have been a first-round pick at some point. The inconsistency, lack of attention to detail, I would call it. The penalties are there, there are some missed tackles as well.
“His performances in some games, the Texas A&M game, I was watching him against Tennessee, he looks like a first round caliber performer. But this is what you get with the second round, third round. You get guys who will flash but can’t do it week in and week out for some reason.”
▪ NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein: “Long outside cornerback with instinctive eyes and the ball skills to consistently close on throws when in position. Smith lacks fluidity and acceleration to consistently press and run with speedy downfield targets. Also, he gives ground in his lateral transitions.
“However, he’s highly anticipatory with the vision and route recognition to shine from coverages allowing him to play with his eyes and feet forward. While his timing/length can be formidable weapons on contested catches, he often fails to move his feet quickly enough in transitions and ends up grabbing receivers, leading to penalties.
“Smith appears to be better suited for zone coverages and off-man but if he can trust his technique, he might become more scheme-diverse and develop into a [No. 2 cornerback].”
▪ ESPN’s Booger McFarland: “Runs 4.4 in the 40. The thing I love about him is loves to find the ball whether it’s man or zone. He sees ball and gets ball. His ability to drop back and break on it is outstanding.
“A little handsy. Commits way too many penalties. But if you’re looking for a guy to ballhawk, to be around the football, this is the guy that loves to be in the action. A physical guy. Scheme versatile. Love the pick.”
▪ NFL Net’s Daniel Jeremiah: “Cam Smith is a very gifted athlete. Ran 4.43, jumped 38 inches. Really loose, really fluid. Smooth, you love his movement skills. Just got to do a little bit better job of not grabbing. Had 10 penalties this year. That bothered some teams. He’s a wrap, drag tackler. He’s going to try to get you on the ground. Not an ultra, ultra physical player. Opinions were all over the map on him. Some thought he might sneak into the first round. Some thought he might be there in the third.”
▪ NFL Net’s Charles Davis said the Dolphins were work on his tackling technique this summer: “Smooth, loose limber guy.”
▪ ESPN”s Desmond Howard: “He gets his hand on a lot of balls. 70 targets [against] in two seasons. Fifteen pass breakups, four interceptions. Instinctive, very versatile. Jalin Hyatt, the speedster from Tennessee, said this was his toughest matchup all season. This guy is great to win in man to man coverage.”
▪ ESPN’s Todd McShay: “When you have 4.4 speed like Cam Smith, it’s tough to beat him deep.”
This story was originally published April 28, 2023 at 8:47 PM.
