Daniel Jeremiah Mock 2.0

[kccrow]

Originally Posted by JPH83

I could see Smith getting to 245lbs, I couldn't see it with Herbig. But that's pure conjecture I'll grant you. Herbig also has no tape where he has been effective against rhe run. Smith would be an outlier at his size, and you've got to think it doesn't work as well at the next level. But he can at least hang his hat on being very good at the college level. That's the remarkable thing for me, he wasn't OK he was good.

Very much disagree with you on Herbig against the run. He's solid against the run. He doesn't shove blockers back into the lap of the RB and make plays like that but he maintains excellent gap assignments, he funnels the action, he crashes down the line if left uncovered, and he makes the plays in space. He makes plays behind the line. Yeah he's a little light and yes he just puts his shoulder into the tackle far more than you like but if he's keeping contain and funneling it inside then that's probably good enough. He makes the big plays when he gets the opportunity. Smith doesn't make so many of those, win rates be damned.

Herbig has far better statistics than Smith in every category in 7 fewer career games and that didn't happen by accident. Herbig had a PRWR of 27.3% in 2021 and 23.9% in 2022. Making a case there for Smith is like arguing with a brick wall. Herbig was AP 3rd Team All-American in 2022. Smith has no such accolade. I feel like there's a lot of SEC bias going on with Nolan Smith and I'm not accusing you, more the media yappers.

It's a shame Herbig isn't 240 because he'd be a high 1st round pick. He's still 6'2" so if he can gain 10 pounds by the combine and show up at 237, that's what Haason Reddick was coming into the league. Reddick went 13th overall. I would absolutely not sleep on Herbig just yet. The kid was phenomenal. He has the best get-off at the snap in this class and he absolutely threatens the arc every time he rushes the passer.