From now until the 2023 NFL Draft, we will 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, a scouting report on LSU DL Maason Smith.
#0 MAASON SMITH/DL LSU – 6-6, 315 POUNDS. (RS – SOPHOMORE)
MEASUREMENTS
| Player | Ht/Wt | Hand Size | Arm Length | Wingspan |
| Maason Smith | 6060/315 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 40-Yard Dash | 10-Yard Dash | Short Shuttle | 3-Cone | |
| DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | |
| Broad Jump | Vertical | Bench Press | ||
| DNP | DNP | DNP |
THE GOOD
– Elite height, weight, speed traits you look for in a defensive lineman
– Athletic ability is evident at first glance and his agility is wild for a guy his size
– Initial burst and short-arm quickness are very impressive
– Can play up and down the DL (lined up as 0-5i for different games)
– If he gets his hands on you first, you’re going backwards or redirected quickly
– Run defense recognition skills definitely improved in 2023
– Great upper body power to knock people back on initial contact
– Rip move wins consistently to beat guys
– Arm-over move is his bread-and-butter in pass rush sets and he wins often
– Lower body strength to push guys into the pocket and anchor on running plays
– Very fast feet for a defensive lineman and he’s able to flow to the ball quickly on run defense
– Doesn’t miss tackles very often and is good at finishing plays
– Long arms to direct opponents and cause havoc on the interior when bull rushing
THE BAD:
– Significant knee injury in 2022 (torn ACL) caused him to have a lack of college playing experience that showed in his development in both run defense and pass rushing
– Needs to continue adding and working on different pass rush moves
– Counter moves when outside shoulder isn’t openly presented to him
– His feet can stall out or lose drive when he doesn’t make first contact
– Plays too high with his pad level and can be redirected toward combo blocks
– Needs to plant his lower body better in run defense situations
– Can look confused at times with gap assignments in run defense situations
– Driving his long arm to move in unison with his body and not getting stuck on the shoulder pads
– His position at the NFL level will probably primarily have to be as 3-5i guy as he gets moved too easily off his spot in the 0-1i positions
BIO:
– Born on 10/13/02 (21 years old)
– 939 snaps total in 3 seasons (only eight snaps in 2022) with 596 snaps in the 3-5i DL position
– Started 20 games for LSU and accumulated 47 total tackles, 39 pressures, 25 run stops, 9.