Arizona Cardinals Potential Draft Pick: Alphonso Smith

by Andrew602 on Mar 13, 2009 5:00 AM MDT

Alphonso Smith (CB) Wake Forest

Height & Weight: 5'9, 193 lbs.

Combine Results:

40 Yard Dash: 4.47
Bench Press: 13
Vertical Jump: 34
Broad Jump: 10'5
20-Yard Shuttle: 4.38
3-Cone Drill: 7.09

Positives: Smith is a big player in a small package. He is very fast with explosive agility. He breaks well on the ball once it's released, and has great hands. Not scared to jam a larger receiver and be very physical with them. Also not afraid to be on an island, and can hold his own while staying shoulder to shoulder with any receiver he covers. Likes to help out against the run, and will often go after the ball carrier. Will try to strip the ball when gang tackling or at the bottom of a pile. Eyes are usually on the quarterback, and is able to adjust quickly to the ball's direction. Once he picks off a pass, he is a very dangerous returner, and may help on punt returns as well.

Negatives: Alphonso is short for a corner, and may struggle against larger, physical receivers. Although he had a great vertical jump at the combine, he may not be able to out-jump a tall receiver in the endzone. May have a hard time winning a battle for the ball with stronger receivers. Struggles with wide receiver blocks on running plays as well. Not a great tackler.

Overview: Smith is probably the 3rd or 4th best cornerback in the draft. His great speed and physicality with receivers may make him a first round pick. He's been projected as the Cardinals 1st round pick in the past, but now that they have signed Bryant McFadden, that could change. There is a possibility of his stock falling, only reason being his size. If he fell to the 2nd round, the Cardinals would surely have to contemplate taking him.

Projected Round: Late 1st Round - Mid 2nd Round

Why he should be a Cardinal and how he fits into the defense...

Why he should be a Cardinal: Smith should be a Cardinal because he and DRC could eventually establish themselves as the top-two cornerbacks in the league. Both are very similar, and would complement each other. Smith would also bring depth to the secondary and give the Cardinals options if Hood or McFadden were to sign with another team in the next 2 years.

How he fits into the defense: He would fit into the Cardinals defense in the Nickel cornerback role. That role would allow his ball-hawking skills to be used effectively, along with his return skills if he were to intercept any passes. It would give him a chance to develop and learn from the more experienced corners as well. Smith is very quick with a lot of agility, and it would also be a benefit to have him return punts on special teams.

Similar NFL Players: Dre Bly, DRC, Leodis McKelvin, Josh Wilson

Player Quote:

They’re going to get a player that’s extremely smart, understands the game, works extremely hard and they get a natural winner. All my life, I’ve been a winner. All my life, I’ve had this attitude where I don’t care who you are, where you’ve been, who your father is, who you play for, I don’t care. It’s me vs. you, and I’m going to try and come out on top. That goes for everyone.

Highlights vs Florida State:

Tweet Comment 6 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Draft

The Cards need O-Line help…..They should get Alex Mack to solidify the running game.Teams have to be able to run the ball ,and at times this past year the running game was far below average.The left side of the O-line is way to old and under productive.Teams never go wrong with drafting a premeir lineman.The Cardinals need somebody mean and nasty in the middle and this guy brings it….Go BIG RED.

by RowdyReno on Mar 13, 2009 9:37 AM MDT reply actions

Mack would be a nice pick

I can’t wait to see the profile on him.

As for Smith, I really like the way he plays and I might have campaigned for him before the McFadden signing. If he was two inches taller, he might be the #1 corner in the draft. I tell you what though, a top four of DRC, McFadden, Smith and Hood would be devastating. Good write-up.

by Bezekira on Mar 13, 2009 11:38 AM MDT up reply actions

Andrew looked at Mack and others briefly back around the Combine.

We all leave footprints in the sands of time, just watch out for the discarded fish hooks!

by Hawkwind on Mar 15, 2009 9:26 AM MDT up reply actions

He was one my picks

for the 31st selection in the draft. I was thinking the Cardinals will take either Alex Mack or Alphonso Smith. Smith would be a great complement to DRC. Part of the CB/S problems they were getting blamed for was not always their fault. It was a lack of the pass rush up front and then the secondary got burned by a strong pass. I think with a guy like Smith and getting a couple pass rushers at DE or OLB would help the team out tremendously.

by kj197728 on Mar 13, 2009 3:32 PM MDT reply actions

No CBs

I don’t see the reasoning behind drafting a CB when we just signed McFadden.

I still advocate drafting McCoy in the first with a slight possibility of Mack. If we go the Mack route then drafting Brown or Ringer in the 2nd if available. Seriously, “McCoy” would just look gnarly on a Cards jersey.

When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome again.
-Barney Stinson

by Red Reign on Mar 13, 2009 4:40 PM MDT reply actions

Cornerbacks in later rounds

I agree with you ,We need Pass rushers,but we cant pass on a O-lineman like Mack,he would anchor our line for years to come. The Cards could always go after D-line in the second round,with someone like SenDerrick Marks or maybe even Paul Kruger who seems to be dropping in the mock drafts.When it comes down to Corner Backs,I think Asher Allan,Carey Harris and even Sherrod Martin will be available in later rounds,and these guys are just as good as Alphonso Smith.I say get the big guys up front first and get quality guys later. The Cards can add depth at the cornerback position in the late rounds.

by RowdyReno on Mar 13, 2009 4:47 PM MDT reply actions