Draft Information by: Years, Teams, Positions

Ryan Smith (North Carolina Central) - 2016 NFL Draft Pick #108 by TB

---

Pre-Draft Analysis for Ryan Smith (2016 NFL Draft)

College: North Carolina Central
Position: Cornerback
Height/Weight: 5'11", 190 lbs

Strengths:

• Agility: Smith displayed excellent footwork and agility, allowing him to change direction quickly and stay with receivers in man coverage.
• Ball Skills: He demonstrated a strong ability to track the ball and make plays, recording several interceptions during his college career.
• Physicality: Smith was known for his physical style of play, effectively challenging receivers at the line of scrimmage and in contested situations.
• Work Ethic: Coaches praised his work ethic and commitment to improving his game, which made him a standout player despite playing at a smaller school.

Weaknesses:

• Level of Competition: Coming from a smaller program, there were concerns about how his skills would translate to the NFL, particularly against top-tier talent.
• Size: At 5'11", some scouts questioned whether he had the ideal size to match up against larger NFL receivers.
• Consistency: There were moments of inconsistency in his technique and coverage, which could be a concern at the professional level.

Overall Assessment:

Ryan Smith was viewed as a developmental cornerback with the potential to contribute on special teams and grow into a reliable defensive back. His combination of agility, ball skills, and physicality made him an intriguing prospect, but concerns about competition level and size tempered expectations. Teams looking for depth in the secondary and willing to invest in his development saw him as a potential late-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.