Steelers opt for "versatile" first-round prospect in expert's latest mock draft
The Pittsburgh Steelers had the 17th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. They used that first-round pick to select Jarvis Jones, an outside linebacker out of Georgia. 10 years later, history could repeat itself. Hopefully with a better career outcome. Georgia has been putting out high-caliber NFL prospects for some time, and the back-to-back […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers had the 17th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. They used that first-round pick to select Jarvis Jones, an outside linebacker out of Georgia.
10 years later, history could repeat itself. Hopefully with a better career outcome.
Georgia has been putting out high-caliber NFL prospects for some time, and the back-to-back National Champions are sending several more pro-ready players into the next level this month.
One of those players is outside linebacker Nolan Smith.
Not only was Smith a former five-star recruit, he was the No. 1 recruit in the class of 2019. His next step is to be as close to the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
College football insider Bruce Feldman's latest mock draft has Smith landing with the Steelers at 17th overall. Feldman not only comp'd Smith to NFL star pass-rusher Haason Reddick, his intel reveals how coaches feel about his multi-dimensional ability as an edge defender.
Check out what one anonymous coach had to say about Smith:
“So versatile. You can drop him in coverage and he will get after the quarterback because he’s so explosive and slippery, but what I think is special for a smaller guy is he will absolutely blow you up in the run game. He can set the edge on counters and is so violent at the point of attack.”
Smith doesn't have top-tier size at the position, but as Feldman's intel reports, he's very competent setting the edge against the run. Paired with elite speed and explosion, and you have a weapon against AFC North offenses.
The consensus big board currently has Smith as the 19th overall player in this class, and his projection shouldn't move far off that. Drafting him with the 17th pick fits his value.
