Player Profile: Marcus Smith

Height:  6'3
Weight:  251
School:  Louisville
Position:  Defensive End
Ranking:  #4 Outside Linebacker
Projection: Day 2

Strengths
-Experienced. Two year starter.  Played since freshman year.
-Productive and Accomplished. 14.5 sacks in 2013 and AAC Defensive Player of the Year
-Versatile player.  Saw snaps at DE, OLB, ILB, and DT
-Uses his long arms (34") and good power to set the edge vs the run
-Explosive athlete (35" vertical leap) (10'1" broad jump). Came to Louisville as a QB
-Uses his good quickness (1.57 10 yard split) to fire off the ball and create penetration
-Good speed (4.68 40) gets to the ball in a hurry
-Fluid athlete who can move and change directions well.
-Experience playing in a standing position when rushing the passer.
-Has shown the ability to drop into coverage and match up with TEs and some WRs
-Non stop motor.  Always going hard.  Gets a lot of effort sacks.

Weaknesses
-Lack a pass rushing repertoire.  Uses only speed and quickness to get the QB
-Will get too aggressive rushing off the edge which causes him to not bend the edge
-Needs to learn to use his hands better to disengage from blockers.
-Can be a liability in the run game. Can be pushed around and struggles to disengage.
-Won't fit every scheme. likely only a 3-4 fit.

Summary
When you think of the success that Louisville has had over the past couple of years you automatically think of Teddy Bridgewater.  However it was the defense that was the biggest key to their success that starts with the American Athletic Defensive Player of the Year.  There is a lot to like about Marcus Smith.  Smith is a good athlete who uses his speed and quickness to really set a tone.  He's explodes off the ball getting the the lineman before they are ready.  Pair that up with a non stop motor and there is no wonder how he had 14.5 sacks this past season. The downfall to Smith is that he doesn't have any pass rushing moves and relies too much on his speed and quickness.  Smith also becomes too aggressive and will overrun the pocket.  By going as hard as he does off the edge he becomes out of control and can't bend the edge like his athletic ability suggests.  One area of Smith's game that can get overlooked is his ability to play in coverage. When he isn't going 100 mph, Smith shows fluid movement that allows him to run with tight ends and some receivers.  The big downfall for him though is his inability to play in run support.  He does a good job of setting the edge with his long arms, but he struggles to disengage and can be overtaken.  Add that to his lack of size and that likely means he fits only in a 3-4 defense.  Marcus Smith may be under the radar, but look for him to go somewhere on day two.  A team like Tennessee who needs a pass rushing OLB could be an option in the third round, but don't count out Seattle who could have Smith play the Leo position.