Preston Smith NFL Draft 2015: Scouting Report, Grade for Redskins' Round 2 Pick

STRENGTHS

A big, versatile defensive lineman, Preston Smith (6'5", 271 lbs) can play as a true 4-3 defensive end and kick inside as an interior rusher on third downs. He's an impressive athlete, posting a 4.74 in the 40-yard dash with a 121-inch broad jump and 7.07-second three-cone drill time. Smith has exceptionally long arms (34") and uses them well to create and maintain separation as a rusher. He understands leverage in the pass and run games and doesn't surrender his chest easily in either. He has shown the skill to stack and shed blockers on the edge and can anchor against the run. He's at his best in the gaps but played as a nose tackle and two-gap player in the past.

WEAKNESSES

Smith's track speed doesn't match up consistently with field speed, and he doesn't show the quickness to win around the edge. His first-step quickness is average, and he can get bogged down easily, as he can't sell a hard outside move. Smith needs to work on a secondary rush move and learn to better use his leverage and power to push the pile.

2014 STATISTICS

Tackles   Sacks   Tackles for Loss
48             9.0                15.0

PRO PLAYER COMPARISON: Everson Griffen, Minnesota Vikings

This may not be an exciting comparison, but it's a safer one than a Michael Bennett comparison. Smith may fall somewhere in the middle ultimately, but he's the same style of big-bodied athlete who can be moved around to impact the offensive line in multiple ways.

FINAL GRADE: 6.20/9.0 (Rookie Impact)