Trey Smith 2021 NFL Draft Overview
Position: Offensive Guard
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 321 pounds
School: University of Tennessee
Pro Day Performance Data
40-yard dash: 5.11
Vertical jump: 31”
Broad jump: 9’4”
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 32
Overview
Trey Smith Draft Profile
Trey Smith is a big-bodied mauler and could end up being one of the elite guards to come from this deep class of offensive linemen. However, his status didn’t come without trials and tribulation. At the University School of Jackson in Humboldt, TN, Smith was a three-time All-State lineman. Ranked as the nation’s number-one recruit out of high school, Smith experienced a rocky rise through Tennessee’s program. Initially, things were off to a hot start for the young offensive lineman. During his freshman season, he started 12 games, first at right guard, then earned the honor of moving to left tackle. Smith earned All-SEC Second Team honors for his campaign.
During his sophomore season, however, things became murky surrounding Smith’s future. After starting seven games at left tackle, the Tennessee medical staff found something concerning. They found blood clots in his lungs, which ruled him out indefinitely. Soon enough, however, Smith was back on the field and didn’t miss a start in his junior and senior seasons and he thrived. In consecutive campaigns, the mauling guard earned All-SEC First Team honors and is a premium guard prospect in this year’s draft. Now, he’s showing off a slightly slimmed frame with improving speed to professional coaches around the league. While he has medical red flags, the raw talent and power will certainly have teams enamored with his potential.
Strengths
- Extremely powerful and tends to blowback opposing pass rushers, even against elite competition
- Absorbs bull rushes with ease thanks to his strength
- Moves well on pulls and plays where he needs to block in the second level
- Sets up his frame well, plays with a strong base
- Looks comfortable taking on multiple pass rushers in a pinch
- Excels in the hand-to-hand combat it takes to compete with pass rushers
- Plays smart football, successful at identifying blitzes and stunts
Weaknesses
- Tends to overextend and lose his center of gravity
- Shorter wingspan contributes to issues with his reach
- Doesn’t always fire out of his stance, losing a little power
- Ends up on the ground a little too often
- Comes up too high in his stance a little too often
- Generally needs to learn the intricacies of the guard position
- Medical concerns will certainly have teams asking questions
NFL Comparison: Kelechi Osemele
Teams With Need at Position: Cincinnati Bengals, Green Bay Packers, Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Chargers, Miami Dolphins, Houston Texans, New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears
Projection: Early Third Round
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Bottom Line on Trey Smith
Trey Smith should have no shortage of suitors in the 2021 NFL Draft. Currently, the league is desperate for line help. Like many others in his class, Smith seems like he could be a day-one starter for a guard-needy club. Granted, he will slip a bit, as he won’t play tackle, the more valuable position for teams. Despite that, he’ll be one of the fastest guards off the board as long as teams feel comfortable with his medical. Given his combination of size and strength, whoever grabs Smith might view him as a steal. Besides, it takes someone of Smith’s ilk to hold back the Aaron Donald and Fletcher Cox types of the world. Given his credentials and background as a top prospect, teams will likely see him as a source of untapped potential.
While his talent is clear, the medical red flags are real concerns. Lung issues are a big deal, football or not, and it will be important for teams to set Smith up for long-term health. If teams feel like that isn’t something they are equipped to handle, he might wind up off of their draft boards. Regardless, there should be enough teams in the market for guard help for Smith to find a home on day two. He might not end up in the second round but won’t last long on the board one way or another. Smith is a mauler and could wind up the best guard in his class. Certainly, he has some of the most talent among all blockers in the 2021 NFL Draft pool. Still, teams need to work with Smith to improve his overall technique. With that being said, working with a professional-level offensive line coach could cause Smith to quickly ascend.
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