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Mel Kiper calls LSU's Maason Smith an 'intriguing' draft prospect
Posted on 2/21/24 at 6:12 pm
Posted on 2/21/24 at 6:12 pm
quote:
LSU has a lot of offensive talent at the top of this year’s draft class, but perhaps the biggest question mark in this year’s group heading pro is defensive tackle Maason Smith.
Smith is a former five-star recruit who impressed as a true freshman in 2021. But a torn ACL cost him nearly the entire 2022 season, and while he returned in 2023, he struggled to find the production many expected of him.
In spite of that, he declared for the draft this offseason, and ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper evaluated what he called an “intriguing” draft profile on a recent episode of First Draft.
“Maason Smith is an intriguing guy,” Kiper said, per On3. “He was a elite recruit right? He showed in practice he could dominate, they were raving about him coming this season. A couple of years ago, the first game, the ACL injury. This year, the suspension early and then a little banged up in the last three games this past season. He was getting after the quarterback, the explosiveness, everything. We saw the quickness when he was healthy, he was coming to the forefront late in the year. The production, the consistency wasn’t there.
“Why? Because he was hurt, then banged up and when he was out there playing through it, and trying to get back to full strength and getting back to where he was pre-ACL, right? He didn’t look like the same player.”
Kiper said in a defensive tackle draft class that isn’t particularly strong, Smith could be a strong option as he continues to get stronger after the ACL tear.
“So when he’s now a couple years removed, coming off that ACL, watch out,” Kiper said. “Defensive tackle position we thought would be really strong this year, that has not materialized. We thought Maason Smith would be one of those guys. I’m ready to move him back up in the top 10 defensive tackles, but I got to look at what he is when he’s healthy and what he was when he was dominant in practice, what he can be. I’m gonna put him in that five or six spot of defensive tackles on my big board.’”
usa today
14
Posted on 2/21/24 at 6:16 pm to L.A.
Meh, he had like 3 “wow” plays in his career. Maybe 3.
Posted on 2/21/24 at 6:17 pm to L.A.
For Maason Smith's sake, I hope Kiper is right. I would loved to have seen him at full strength in 2022 and 2023. Best of luck to Smith!
Posted on 2/21/24 at 6:18 pm to L.A.
quote:
ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper evaluated what he called an “intriguing” draft profile on a recent episode of First Draft.
quote:
I’m ready to move him back up in the top 10 defensive tackles, but I got to look at what he is when he’s healthy and what he was when he was dominant in practice, what he can be. I’m gonna put him in that five or six spot of defensive tackles on my big board.’”
Kiper seems to be all over the map on Smith. First, "intriguing" like he doesn't know how to rate him and then comes up with 5th or 6th DT. I'll make it easy for you Mel, 3rd day of the NFL draft at best. He showed nothing the year after his ACL injury but many say it does take 2 years to come back so hope for the best. But as the saying goes, "hope is not a strategy." He better show up at the combine and have a great one to even get drafted IMO.
Posted on 2/21/24 at 6:19 pm to L.A.
Would have been a first rounder with a year under Baker and Davis
Posted on 2/21/24 at 6:24 pm to L.A.
He played like a two star recruit. Just another body, I don't remember a single play that was a wow moment.
Posted on 2/21/24 at 6:27 pm to L.A.
Once he gets some actual coaching and accountability, he may well be good. It was criminal how bad the DL was last year.
Posted on 2/21/24 at 6:27 pm to JackDempsey
quote:
JackDempsey
ACL tear, ACL tear
Posted on 2/21/24 at 6:30 pm to JackDempsey
quote:
He played like a two star recruit. Just another body, I don't remember a single play that was a wow moment.
Some of y’all are forgetting Smith played like a future All American and Top 10 NFL pick his freshman season. He had 19 tackles, 5 TFL, and 4 sacks in just 7 games his true freshman year. It wasn’t until the last 2 years he didn’t amount to much. Injury and no DL coach will hinder a players development.
Posted on 2/21/24 at 6:31 pm to L.A.
4th round reach. Cant think of a more disappointing 5 star at lsu ever. Number 1 on my list of fizzled out 5 stars
Posted on 2/21/24 at 6:33 pm to L.A.
Great measurables, underwhelming college career.
Posted on 2/21/24 at 6:36 pm to Zamperini2014
quote:
th round reach. Cant think of a more disappointing 5 star at lsu ever.
You must be new.
Posted on 2/21/24 at 6:43 pm to LSUNWO1988
Explain please. It's DT for God sakes, it's not the most skilled position on the field. Bro was either still hurt, out of shape, or just didn't give a shite. No reason for him to look like he did all season.
Posted on 2/21/24 at 6:47 pm to L.A.
I wish we could’ve seen smith develop with Bo Davis
Posted on 2/21/24 at 6:50 pm to Honest Tune
quote:
Meh, he had like 3 “wow” plays in his career. Maybe 3
When the frick was that?
Posted on 2/21/24 at 6:50 pm to L.A.
The RANT calls him an UDFA.
Posted on 2/21/24 at 6:52 pm to L.A.
quote:
Kiper said in a defensive tackle draft class that isn’t particularly strong, Smith could be a strong option as he continues to get stronger after the ACL tear.
Someone get this man a thesaurus.
Posted on 2/21/24 at 7:16 pm to L.A.
Early 3rd round pick lock
Posted on 2/21/24 at 7:18 pm to Honest Tune
I really think he was poised for a big year in 22 before the freak injury. Then last year was about getting back in shape. He’ll be a solid rotation and a decent value pick but i feel like it’s a minor red flag we didn’t use NIL and make more of an effort to try and get him to come back and have a bounce back year.
Posted on 2/21/24 at 7:18 pm to BROpaneTANK
quote:
Kiper said in a defensive tackle draft class that isn’t particularly strong, Smith could be a strong option as he continues to get stronger after the ACL tear.
quote:
Someone get this man a thesaurus.
Damn strong post . I’ve seen stronger, but still a strong effort. I laughed strongly.
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