Patriots Draft Profile: Illinois DE Dawuane Smoot

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Patriots Draft Profile: Illinois DE Dawuane Smoot

Steve Balestrieri

He

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[Username]

I think he's a really good athlete and hard worker but he just seems to lack any kind repertoire of moves. He gets stuck by linemen who are inferior athletes all too often when he should be beating them with athleticism alone. Don't think he's a very smart player and don't think he's instinctual enough to allow for his lack of smarts. Lack of technique could be coached but not sure about the rest. I think he'll go too high because some DC will love a chance to work with him purely because of his athletic ability and motor

 

[WaterfallJumper]

I think he's a really good athlete and hard worker but he just seems to lack any kind repertoire of moves. He gets stuck by linemen who are inferior athletes all too often when he should be beating them with athleticism alone. Don't think he's a very smart player and don't think he's instinctual enough to allow for his lack of smarts. Lack of technique could be coached but not sure about the rest. I think he'll go too high because some DC will love a chance to work with him purely because of his athletic ability and motor

While I agree with your assessment overall of his weaknesses, and he does flash some impressive speed on tape, he didn't test particularly well. Failing to even hit 30" with his vertical is a bit of a red flag to me for a speed rusher. Not really on my board; he doesn't play through contact, but instead prefers to avoid blocks and knife into the backfield. He'll be a decent player in the right scheme, but I'm not interested.

 

[captain stone]

Too small for DE, no experience playing in space as LB.

Do not want.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Too small for DE, no experience playing in space as LB.

Do not want.

You might like his teammate Phillips. He has actual LB experience, and seems like the more explosive of the two. He's not a true edge guy, but he's definitely capable of rushing the passer in a rotation, while also providing some coverage and run stopping value. He plays mean and fast.

 

[maineman209]

You might like his teammate Phillips. He has actual LB experience, and seems like the more explosive of the two. He's not a true edge guy, but he's definitely capable of rushing the passer in a rotation, while also providing some coverage and run stopping value. He plays mean and fast.

I haven't really paid much attention to Phillips since he seems kinda lightweight for a DE in the Pats scheme. He's not ranked high at all on sites that include him with DE/Edge guys, but ranks a bit higher on sites that have him as an OLB - like late-3rd through the 4th round. I'm wondering if he'd be a fit for the Pats in a mostly off-the-line role.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

I haven't really paid much attention to Phillips since he seems kinda lightweight for a DE in the Pats scheme. He's not ranked high at all on sites that include him with DE/Edge guys, but ranks a bit higher on sites that have him as an OLB - like late-3rd through the 4th round. I'm wondering if he'd be a fit for the Pats in a mostly off-the-line role.

Yeah, he would be a Collins replacement, but he's a talented blitzer/rusher.

 

[kennyb]

Yeah, he would be a Collins replacement, but he's a talented blitzer/rusher.

I believe Bowser (rhymes with Wow-ser) would be a good collins replacement.

Problem is with so many LBs on the roster hard to know if there's really a need or if it's a luxury pick.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

I believe Bowser (rhymes with Wow-ser) would be a good collins replacement.

Problem is with so many LBs on the roster hard to know if there's really a need or if it's a luxury pick.

The real problem is that he's getting late 1st round hype. Even if he goes mid-late 2nd, he's still out of reach with our current picks.

 

[maineman209]

I believe Bowser (rhymes with Wow-ser) would be a good collins replacement.

Problem is with so many LBs on the roster hard to know if there's really a need or if it's a luxury pick.

Well, ...
... Van Noy is UFA at the end of the season
... Freeny should be healthy, but we don't know yet (signed thru 2018)
... we're hoping that Roberts can develop some coverage skills to go with his run-D
... opinions on McClellin's effectiveness differ
... it would help to be able to continue to move Hightower around (including to DE)

So, there may well be room, or even need, for a decent, long-term replacement/upgrade.