Seahawks Draft CB Tye Smith In Round Five: Rapid Reaction

In Pete and John we trust… In Pete and John we trust… In Pete and John we trust…

More from Seattle Seahawks

This is one of those picks where I just have to remind myself that Pete Carroll and John Schneider are the best in the biz when it comes to putting a football team together. Taking Tye Smith over Ladarius Gunter or Ifo Ekpre-Olomu is mind-boggling to me.

I have Gunter as the fifth best CB in the 2015 draft. He is a big physically dominating corner, who is also a smooth athlete in space. He’s a clone of Byron Maxwell and I think he can be the Seahawks starting CB in 2016 opposite Richard Sherman. He’s still on the board so maybe at No. 209 or No. 214.

Ifo Ekpre-Olomu would be an answer in the slot for as long as we could keep him. Jeremy Lane is recovering from a torn ACL and multiple fractures in wrist and arm, and is in the last year of his contract. Ekpre-Olomu is a downright playmaker.

To be completely honest with you, I haven’t watched a single play of Tye Smith’s career at Towson, so once again, here is Rob Rang.

"STRENGTHS: Tall, long frame with a large wingspan…long-strider and adequate speed for the position…good pedal with smooth footwork in his transition when he keeps his wheels underneath him…very good read/react quickness to click-and-close on plays in front of him…plays hands-on downfield to keep receivers occupied…terrific timing and ballskills to attack at the catch point, using his length to stab and knock the ball away (34 career passes defended)…heady and plays alert, doesn’t coast.Needs to improve his tackling technique, but finds ways to get guys on the ground, using his length to wrap – six career forced fumbles…some experience as a kickoff returner, averaging 14.7 yards per return (11/162/0)…film junkie and prepares well during the week…respected teammate with high character.WEAKNESSES: Wiry limbs with minimal bulk on his frame – narrow hips and torso…marginal functional strength and easily overwhelmed by receivers – needs to use his hands more efficiently to shed…leggy and needs to stay under control…inconsistent break down skills and not an eager tackler – will spectate and wait on the ballcarrier to come to him.Too easily blocked on the perimeter…not a fundamentally sound player and needs performance maintenance under the hood…added weight before the NFL Scouting Combine and didn’t run well – might need to sacrifice in one area (speed or bulk) and lost some weight for the pro day…lacks ideal experience against top competition with five career games against FBS programs."

Doesn’t sound like a Pete Carroll-type corner, being undersized and overwhelmed by receivers at times. However, explosiveness, ball skills and hard-worker/high character are all big pluses.

Next: Seahawks Draft Terry Poole And Mark Glowinski In Fourth Round

Next: Seahawks Draft Grades: Frank Clark And Tyler Lockett

More from Emerald City Swagger

Home/Seattle Seahawks