DRAFT TRACKER 2023

Long outside cornerback with instinctive eyes and the ball skills to consistently close on throws when in position. Smith lacks fluidity and acceleration to consistently press and run with speedy downfield targets. Also, he gives ground in his lateral transitions. However, he’s highly anticipatory with the vision and route recognition to shine from coverages allowing him to play with his eyes and feet forward. While his timing/length can be formidable weapons on contested catches, he often fails to move his feet quickly enough in transitions and ends up grabbing receivers, leading to penalties. Smith appears to be better suited for zone coverages and off-man but if he can trust his technique, he might become more scheme-diverse and develop into a CB2.

Athletic interior defender with experience and length as a gap-control tackle but the quickness and play traits that might be better-suited to attacking upfield. Pickens has a disruptive first step that creates advantages for him as both a run defender and pass rusher. He plays with harmonious hands and feet to elude blockers or play off them, but he’s likely to get moved around by NFL drive blockers. Pickens has the ability to play both tackle spots in a one-gapping front and has rotational value with the potential to see starter’s reps.

Two-year starter at cornerback after moving from wide receiver in his redshirt freshman season. Rush is big, long and physical. He struggles to stay connected with routes from both press and off coverages but could improve with more technique work. He will never have the short area foot quickness to mirror and match routes but has impressive ball skills to disrupt the catch when he’s in position.

Gwyn is a solid football player, but his lack of size and length is a major hindrance relative to staying at guard. He’ll likely need to prove he can snap and play center, where he will still be considered undersized. He’s a tenacious run blocker who can operate in multiple schemes but might not be able to shine in any of them. Gwyn plays with a firm base and good body control in protection but lacks the length and range to consistently protect gaps. Gwyn will be a one-position player, but he has enough talent and technique to compete for a roster spot at center.

Vann has played inside and outside; he could end up doing the same as a pro. He ran well at his pro day, but his play speed can be inconsistent on tape. He has average size and strength. Also, he relies on athletic ability over positioning savvy to battle for contested catches. The production was fairly average at South Carolina, but his testing and 2021 tape could play to his favor.

Brooks was not granted eligibility by the NCAA until the fifth game of the 2020 season and he stepped away from the South Carolina program for the second half of the 2021 season. Those missed games help explain his limited college production, but his 2022 game film -- when he started 12 games -- failed to stand out. However, his play strength and ball skills are clearly noticeable on tape. He’s a high-cut, leggy route runner who struggles to outmaneuver coverage getting in and out of breaks. He’s highly competitive on 50/50 balls and has run-after-catch talent to have his moments in the open field, but his poor speed testing at the NFL Scouting Combine could be tough for him to overcome.

Adkins offers good play strength and tenacity as a point-of-attack blocker. He will need to improve his hand usage and play with better consistency to adjust on the move as a lead blocker. He will catch what is thrown to him and should be able to handle every phase of special teams. Adkins might go undrafted, but he has the toughness, frame and demeanor to warrant camp consideration as an NFL fullback.

Jenkins might not have the game tape or production to be drafted, but it’s hard to ignore his size, length and willingness to block at an above-average level. While he was a wideout at Georgia Tech, he might be able to rebrand as a slot tight end with the ability to help in the running game.