2023 NFL Draft Player Profiles: South Carolina CB Cam Smith

From now until the 2023 NFL Draft takes place, we hope to scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top 10 picks, all the way down to Day 3 selections, and priority undrafted free agents. Today we’ll be profiling South Carolina CB Cam Smith.

Cam Smith #9/CB South Carolina 6’0” 188

Measurements

The Good

— Solid versatility, matching receivers both on the boundary and in the slot in his collegiate career, even gained a couple snaps aligned as a post safety, as well as some as a sub package LB (think Cam Sutton’s role in Dime)
— Possess prototype size for the position, will be interesting to see how his arm length measures out later in the draft process
— Patient footwork at the line of scrimmage, able to force receivers off their path with wide releases
— Solid hips for his size, able to turn and run seamlessly from press coverage alignments
— Length allows him to be disruptive when closing to the catch point
— Solid physicality as a tackler, accelerates through the ball carrier and attacks the lower half with violence
— Does a solid job of avoiding oncoming blockers in space, triggers quickly and uses his leverage to beat offensive lineman in space on screen plays
— Good instincts and patience in off-man coverage, reads receivers tempo and posture well to anticipate their breaks at the top of routes, cutting them off with physicality
— Does a solid job to fight and compete to shed stalk blocks
— Does a great job of using his size to squeeze receivers into the sideline downfield
— Finishes with violence and physicality at the catch point
— Has shown versatility in his press coverage plan (soft shoe, mirror press, jump jam, off hand jam, etc.