The 2024 NFL Draft will be a great event for teams to start building for their future. Here is the Maason Smith 2024 NFL Draft Profile.
Maason Smith Background
Position: Interior Defensive Lineman
School: LSU
Size: 6-foot-5, 306 pounds
Class: Redshirt Sophomore
2023 stats: 28 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 2 passes defended
Smith has battled through injury in his college career, but been successful. He is now in the 2024 NFL Draft.
As a five-star recruit in the class of 2021, Smith signed with LSU to stay in the state of Louisiana. He played a lot as a freshman, totaling 19 tackles, five tackles for loss and four sacks. His play helped LSU win six games. In 2022, Smith was injured in the season-opening game of the season. He returned in 2023 to total 28 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. Smith led the Tigers to a 10-win season.
Following the 2023 season, Smith declared for the 2024 NFL Draft. He is currently projected to be a mid-round pick.
Maason Smith Strengths
Smith has a good frame to start an NFL career with. He is 6-foot-5 and 306 pounds, which is a solid starting point. He can add more muscle to his frame and he should be able to support it. With his frame comes long arms that measure in at 35 inches. He knows how to use his length well.
Especially for his size, Smith is a good athlete. He has good quickness and speed. Smith also moves solidly laterally. He is flexible for an interior defensive lineman. His athleticism plus his size can make him a nightmare to matchup with on the interior.
He is able to get a good jump on the snap with good burst. Smith times the snap well and is quick out of his snap. This quickness can make offensive linemen have to recover, giving Smith the early edge. He can put pressure on an offensive line with this quick first step.
Maason Smith Weaknesses
As mentioned, Smith had a few injuries over his college career. He had a torn ACL in 2022, but also had a shoulder injury in 2021. While he played in 2023, it didn’t look like he had the same explosiveness that he did before the injuries. Teams will look into the medical reports and they may move him down their boards if he doesn’t check out.
Smith can improve his pass-rushing. His bullrushing can improve by keeping his pad level low to retain his power and to push offensive linemen into the pocket. On top of that, he needs to add more pass-rush moves and counters to be a less predictable rusher.
While his frame is good, he will need to fill it out a bit more for the NFL level. He has average anchor strength to hold his spot. Smith can add power to his lower half to help him hold his ground and to shed blocks more frequently.
Projected Draft Range: Third Round Pick-Fifth Round Pick
Draft Grade: Fourth Round Pick
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