Six NFL Draft Prospects to Watch in the East-West Shrine Game
By Dan Dahlke
Louisville Cardinals safety Hakeem Smith (29) celebrates defending a pass with cornerback Andrew Johnson (15). Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports photograph
School: Louisville
Position: Safety
HT: 6’2” WT: 188
EAST All-Star
Smith is a mid-round prospect according to NFL Draft Scout; however, the Louisville safety could be a real steal in the draft for a team looking for help on the defensive side of the ball.
Smith is a bit slim for a strong safety, but he is more than capable of playing near the line of scrimmage and mixing it up against the run. He’s a great open-field tackler and plays more physical than his size would suggest.
He is also a very dependable, savvy player in coverage. As a senior, he recorded three interceptions, five pass breakups, and rarely got beat deep.
Smith is a bit of a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to the position. He does a little bit of everything, and even though he may not always make flashy plays, he is one of the more reliable safety prospects in this year’s draft class.
Smith will look to boost his draft stock with a solid performance in the Shrine Game. Look for no. 29 to make plays in the secondary and be a more than willing defender against the run.
The Packers woud be wise to draft a player like Smith. They could get a lot of bang for their buck and add depth to their safety position. With a little more development, Smith could turn into a really good player for an NFL team.