Getting To Know Our Rookies : Cam Smith

Miami Dolphins
Position:	Cornerback
Personal information
Born:	December 21, 2000 (age 22) Blythewood, South Carolina, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:	188 lb (85 kg)
Career information
High school:	Westwood (Blythewood)
College:	South Carolina (2019–2022)
NFL Draft:	2023 / Round: 2 / Pick: 51
Career history
Miami Dolphins (2023–present)
Roster status:	Unsigned draft pick
Career highlights and awards
Second-team All-SEC (2021)
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Player stats at NFL.com

Player Bio

Smith played three years at Meade High School in Maryland before moving back to his home state of South Carolina to play at Westwood High School for his senior season. The top 150 overall recruit nationally redshirted his first season with the Gamecocks (making seven tackles in three games) before starting three times in eight appearances in 2020, tying for the team lead with two interceptions despite missing two games due to injury (also posting 16 tackles and two pass breakups). Smith ranked ninth in the FBS with 1.3 passes defensed per game as a sophomore (three interceptions, 11 pass breakups), playing in 11 games with seven starts (41 tackles, 2.5 for loss) after missing fall camp because he had foot surgery. He started nine of 11 games played in 2022 (27 tackles, one for loss, one interception, five pass breakups), missing time after reportedly suffering a concussion; he also opted out of South Carolina’s appearance in the Gator Bowl. — by Chad Reuter

Overview

Long outside cornerback with instinctive eyes and the ball skills to consistently close on throws when in position. Smith lacks fluidity and acceleration to consistently press and run with speedy downfield targets. Also, he gives ground in his lateral transitions. However, he’s highly anticipatory with the vision and route recognition to shine from coverages allowing him to play with his eyes and feet forward. While his timing/length can be formidable weapons on contested catches, he often fails to move his feet quickly enough in transitions and ends up grabbing receivers, leading to penalties. Smith appears to be better suited for zone coverages and off-man but if he can trust his technique, he might become more scheme-diverse and develop into a CB2.

Strengths

• Plays with anticipation from off coverage.
• Rock solid on-ball production during his career.
• Reads QB and WR concurrently to jump the throw.
• Springing plant-and-trigger steps from his pedal.
• Maintains feel for route direction when in phase.
• Uses length and timing to alter catch success from trail position.
• Attacks ball, not man, with downhill angles on the throw.
• Excellent job of limiting YAC for WR Jalin Hyatt in win over Tennessee.

Weaknesses

• Sticky feet rarely match press releases cleanly.
• Sluggish lateral transitions open door for separation.
• Takes foot off the gas when turning to locate the football.
• Long speed looks to be average.
• Drew 10 penalty flags in 2022, per PFF.
• Defaults to grabbing instead of using proper footwork.
• Run support didn’t appear to be a high priority.

My Take

I should be used to being both surprised and dissappointed in GM Chris Grier’s darft strategy of taking the best player avaiable when I feel position of need should be considered in fact both options should be used.

It is no surprise that I wanted Miami to draft a TE and in particular Georga TE who slid further than anyone projected (Rumors of Knee Issues) He was considered the best bloking TE in the Draft an at 6′-7″ 264 LBS he could have been added protection on the right side of the line.

Time once again will tell and I just hope this don’t turn out to be another Noah Igbinoghene flopp.

Grade B

Welcome To Miami Cam Smith