I honestly can't say that Aldon Smith is any better a 3-4 Sam backer prospect than the following:
Brooks Reed
Sam Acho
Chris Carter
And he didn't test very well at the combine and didn't show very good fluidity in dropping back.
Do not want, especially in the first round. The guy would be a project at best as a 3-4 OLB, especially on the left side where he'll be asked to play a lot of zone pass coverage.
Quote:
Smith surprised many in the scouting community when he chose to leave Missouri after his redshirt sophomore season, and scouts remain divided on the rather raw prospect. He hasn't filled out his frame, and his lack of ideal strength was evident as he lifted 225 pounds just 20 times at the combine. Smith also posted disappointing short-shuttle (4.50) and 3-cone drill (7.19) times - two important agility tests.
One scout for an NFL team that uses a 3-4 scheme told NFLDraftScout.com Senior Analyst Rob Rang that Smith had an excellent pro day workout and could be an explosive pass rusher once he "grows into his body." Another scout from a 4-3 team was concerned about Smith's change of direction ability and said he'll be drafted early based primarily on his 2009 game film.
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Heck, the fifth round and on is going to be loaded with guys just like Smith:
Ugo Chinasa, DE; Oklahoma State
K.J. Wright, OLB; Mississippi State
Tom Keiser, OLB; Stanford
And a guy like Mark Herzlich, who has some of the best instincts I've ever seen from a true Sam linebacker at the college level. I sure as hell would take a flyer on Herzlich in the fifth versus burning a first rounder on Smith.
Jon Baldwin in the second would be absolutely fantastic.