ROTB Community Mock Draft: With the 34th Overall Pick, the New England Patriots Select...

by Hawkwind on Apr 10, 2009 4:00 AM MDT

Alphonso Smith (CB), Wake Forest

5'9", 193

The Patriots secondary hasn't quite recovered yet from the loss of Asante Samuel and Deltha O'Neal is not the long term answer. The rest of the starting secondary is young and promising (Ellis Hobbs, Brandon Meriweather and James Sanders) but Smith bring a ball hawking attitude to the defense. His return ability is equally appealing and gives the Pats a couple of different return options. Here's what ROTB had to say about him in their potential draft profile:

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 end zone. 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 corner back in the draft. His great speed and physicality with receivers may make him a first round pick. He's been projected as a 1st round pick, but obviously slipped this far, and now that the Patriots were able draft him to improve their secondary.

First Round Pick: James Laurinaitis

Many thanks to my wife for submitting this pick. The Rams and myself are now on the clock with the Browns and Cardinal_Fang on deck. If anyone needs to refresh their memory on the second round draft order, check here.

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Comments

I like Smith

but his height scares me. I am 5’11’’ and I am GD sure I couldn’t match up in a jump ball 15-20 yards off the line with a 6ft+ WR (nevermind my 6.5 40yd dash.) My thing with short CBs is that if they can’t match-up with a WR on the line then they aren’t of much use. You don’t want to use someone that short in a 3-4 defense because there will often be nickel situations. If they bring someone of that size in that situation, then I can’t see much use for him in a NB blitz and the offense will know he isn’t dropping back to cover the slot.

This statement was just in general on my thoughts of short CBs and by no means do I wish anything but the best for Alphonso.

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

by Red Reign on Apr 10, 2009 5:07 AM MDT reply actions

Still better than a lot of the Corners they got.

by Pyromnc on Apr 10, 2009 7:15 AM MDT up reply actions

Of course

That’s why it was just a general rant.

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

by Red Reign on Apr 10, 2009 7:40 AM MDT up reply actions

Ironically it was my wife watching DRC that had her saying "I wish the Pats had someone that fast"

Smith will have trouble with the jump ball throws but many corners do. Smith has the ability to bait a QB and a WR thinking the play is there and then make the move to break-up a pass or even INT it.

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

by Hawkwind on Apr 12, 2009 8:54 PM MDT up reply actions