Las Vegas Raiders 2023 3-round Mock Draft: Take best player available?
Las Vegas Raiders 2023 3-round Mock Draft: Take best player available?
Pick Analysis. CB. CamSmith. 1st. 28. Scouting Report. South Carolina. player
The old adage “best player available” is a deceptive one. The fact is, the draft is a crapshoot, and predicting a player’s future is a nearly impossible endeavor. However, people have to remember that Ziegler and McDaniels come from the New England Patriots. Their drafts produced innumerable contributors, and now they can truly build a roster how they want with what will be their second draft.
To get things started, picking up a cornerback will be key; this time, it’ll be South Carolina’s Cam Smith.
In 2021, Smith led the SEC in two major categories as far as his position goes: fifth in interceptions with three and second in pass deflections with 11. Clearly, Smith has a knack for making plays, and with his active hands, he is always looking to grab himself a pick. According to Pro Football Focus, Smith has a solid coverage grade of 64.5.
A snap breakdown by the publication reveals that Smith was lined up all over the field. As far as 2021 goes, Smith recorded 196 snaps in the slot and 358 snaps outside wide. He also played a little bit of safety in college. As you can see, Smith’s versatile, and that’s something that this current brain trust relishes.
South Carolina’s Cam Smith is having himself a night.
— Seven Rounds in Heaven (@7RoundsInHeaven) November 20, 2022
Love these instincts and physicality triggering downhill and meeting the man at the ball. pic.twitter.com/s5ruHUlSWx
Just a smidge taller than six feet even, Smith possesses the physical frame you’re looking for in an NFL corner, and while it would benefit him to sit for a year, he could blossom by Year 2 with his team. While you want a first-round pick to be an immediate contributor, the long-term stability of the Raiders’ defense is a bigger priority.
Regardless, Smith has remarkable potential, thanks in part to his high football IQ and creativity, especially at the line of scrimmage. He isn’t the most physically gifted as far as strength is concerned, but he can certainly play press coverage if need be. Smith isn’t afraid of contact, and in his defense, he is a violent tackler for a cornerback.
The thing that makes Smith stand out is his speed. He consistently showed an ability to not only keep up with receivers, but he’d swarm them, frustrating them at every turn and often making a play on the ball. He’ll also be a contributor in defending the run.
Onto to Round 2.