Warren takes a look at the linebacker out of Southern Cal"

Minnesota Vikings 2019 NFL DraftBreaking Down Cameron SmithNew Discount Alexander Mattison Jersey ,56commentsWarren takes a look at the linebacker out of Southern CalCDTThe Vikings drafted LB Cameron Smith out of USC in the 5th round (#162) of the 2019 NFL draft - trading back three spots with the Patriots before doing so.He played 4-years at USC, and was described by Lance Zierlein as a smart and steady inside linebacker.Let’s take a deeper look into his game.Smart and Steady Cameron Smith MeasurablesSmith is seen as an average sized inside linebacker, and average athlete, which is presumably why he was available later in the draft on Day 3.His 40 time is indeed about average.But his short shuttle is above average and his ‘burst measures’ - vertical and broad jump - are both pretty high. This suggests a guy that may have the desired quickness, but not necessarily the desired range or coverage ability in a linebacker.His bench press was not good and suggests he needs more time in the weight room.But Smith has been able to overcome his less than optimal athletic traits on the field with good instinct, good first step Olisaemeka Udoh Jersey nfl draft , and taking good angles to the ball.That’s translated into top 20 PFF grades among off-ball linebackers in the draft for both run-stop % (12.6) and an 88.4 run defense grade last season.Add to that a top 20 rank in tackling efficiency, and you have a pretty solid linebacker against the run.Okay, Not Great In CoverageSmith had a pretty good coverage grade from PFF last year - 84.9 - based it would seem on being targeted slightly less than average (meaning his guy/zone was covered usually) and he was quick to tackle the receiver when he was targeted.He also had four pass break-ups.But where he wasn’t so great is that he allowed 80% of his targets (24 of 30) to be completed, for an average of 7.75 yards a completion.Not horrible in terms of yards per catch - suggesting he was able to limit YAC with solid tackling - but room for improvement in terms of target completion percentage.Most scouts say he’s a little stiff in coverage - not so good in man coverage and can be a little late getting there in zone - hence the high target completion percentage.Still, he manages to cover well enough most of the time to prevent his man from getting targeted, but I suspect at the NFL level he may have more difficulties Replica Olisaemeka Udoh Jersey , which could limit him to a base linebacker that comes out on passing downs.Not Productive As A Pass RusherSmith is well down the list among this year’s draft class when it comes to pass rush productivity - ranking 160th.It may be that he wasn’t tasked much with rushing the passer or blitzing, but whatever the reason he didn’t produce a lot of QB pressures or sacks last season.Nor did he much throughout his career at USC.Scouting CommentsBelow are some scouting notes and comments on Cameron Smith.Where He May Fit Cameron Smith seems likely to battle for a depth spot at linebacker, which may largely be determined by his special teams ability.Smith has a lot in common with Kentrell Brothers - who also used his instincts and good angles to overcome some average athletic traits to have a very productive college career.And Brothers may be Smith’s most immediate competitor for a roster spot.Brothers has been one of the very best Vikings on special teams since he was drafted, but never really saw the field much otherwise.He’s on the last year of his rookie deal, and it may be that the Vikings are looking to replace him, rather than pay him more in an extension.Brothers has attracted some trade interest in the past as well. But before the Vikings consider moving on from anybody to give Smith a roster spot Stitched Olisaemeka Udoh Jersey , he’ll have to prove himself on special teams, and perhaps also as a more able backup at linebacker.Scouting FilmHere are some of Smith’s highlights at USC, followed by some individual game tapes. Anthony Barr is an outside linebacker who has just 13.5 sacks in his five-year career. So why is he worth the big new contract the Vikings gave him?Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer says most people don’t understand how big an impact Barr makes because of the lengths that other teams go to to keep Barr from beating them.“I know a lot of laymen don’t understand this, but Anthony is a guy that every team that we play game plans for,” Zimmer said. “There’s not one team – there might have been one team last year that didn’t, and we got 10 sacks. They all game plan for him.”Zimmer appeared to be referring to the Dolphins as the team that didn’t game plan for Barr. In that game the Vikings got nine (not 10) sacks Olisaemeka Udoh Minnesota Vikings Jerseys , and Barr was a huge problem for the Dolphins’ pass protection.“A lot of that is him sacrificing himself for being able to have other guys free on rushes and blitzes and things like that. That’s why he’s such an unselfish guy,” Zimmer said. “We understand that no team that we play is ever going to say, ‘We’re not going to worry about Anthony Barr.’ That’s part of it, and sometimes we do it anyway. That’s just part of it. We’re always going to try and scheme the best way to win on that particular Sunday.”Zimmer thinks opposing offenses are going to continue to struggle against Barr, even if his sack numbers don’t show it.