Packers Prospect Profile — CB Jimmy Smith, University of Colorado

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1) Profile:

Jimmy Smith

College: Colorado

Position: CB

Height: 6’2″  Weight: 205 lbs.

Born: July 26, 1988 From: Fontana, CA

2) High School / College Highlights: While playing along side USC recruits Allen Bradford and Shareece Wright at Colton High School, Smith excelled at safety, cornerback and receiver. A three-time All-League selection, Smith was pegged as the No. 57 overall athlete prospect by Rivals.com and the 53rd ranked safety by Scout.com.

Once at Colorado, Smith started 27 games at cornerback spread over four seasons. While only intercepting three passes in his career, Smith was an All-Big 12 First team selection his senior year and a Second teamer his junior season.

3) College Stats: 47 games (27 starts), 163 tackles, three interceptions, 18 pass breakups, three fumble recoveries

4) NFL Combine Results: 4.46 second 40-yard dash, 24 bench-presses at 225 pounds, 36-inch vertical jump, 123-inch broad jump, 6.93 second 3 cone drill, 4.06 second 20-yard shuffle

5) Strengths/Weaknesses: Smith has the size, speed and coverage ability that makes NFL teams salivate at the thought of having him in their secondary. He’s more than comfortable playing press coverage, and his size makes this a very valuable attribute.

And while he didn’t necessarily put up flashy numbers in college, quarterbacks simply stopped throwing his way later on in his career. In fact, only 52 passes were attempted against Smith during his senior season. Four of his brothers played college football, and Smith has the kind of cockiness that you see in the elite NFL cornerbacks.

However, Smith has some serious red flags that have turned him off to NFL teams. Smith failed a drug test in 2007, and he was arrested twice for possession of alcohol as a minor.

His attitude problems could also be an issue. Jeff Lewgold of the Denver Post said that teams “think [Smith] might want to be a celebrity more than he wants to be a good NFL cornerback.”

6) Fit for the Packers: With Charles Woodson slowly running out of good years, the Packers need to start thinking about finding an eventual replacement. Tramon Williams and Sam Shields will be around for the foreseeable future, but defensive coordinator Dom Capers liked using three-cornerback sets with Woodson playing the slot and near the line of scrimmage. It’s yet to be seen if Williams or Shields could fill that role, but you’d have to bet against it.

If the Packers took Smith, that replacement would be found. He excels in press coverage, and his size and willingness to play in the box would make him a natural to take on Woodson’s role.

However, the red flags surrounding Smith make it unlikely that the Packers take such a big risk in the first round. He’s a top-15 talent, but it’s hard to endorse taking a player that could potentially be a locker room problem. When I heard of the “wants to be a celebrity” comment from NFL teams, I almost immediately crossed him off the Packers board. If, however, Smith somehow fell all the way to the second round, I could possibly see the Packers taking a chance. That scenario seems very unlikely with the talent he possesses. He would have really had to impress and comfort Ted Thompson and the staff to even have an opportunity at landing in Green Bay at No. 32.

7) Highlight video

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Zach Kruse is a 23-year-old sports journalist with a passion for the Green Bay Packers. He currently lives in Wisconsin and is working on his journalism degree, while also covering prep sports for The Dunn Co. News.

You can read more of Zach's Packers articles on AllGreenBayPackers.com.

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One thought on “Packers Prospect Profile — CB Jimmy Smith, University of Colorado

  1. If he is a possible 1st rd talent and falls to 64,would TT be more/less inclined to believe the “celebrity”and other red flags since teams that are known for being more “Risk Pickers” passed him by twice?

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