Sometimes pipelines for the NFL Draft can start from scratch, and it was no different for Shi Smith. In recent years, it has seemed like that with South Carolina and the wide receivers. Yes, guys like Alshon Jeffery played there, but it was never seen as a trademark for recipients. Now, after Deebo Samuel and Bryan Edwards, they are building a legitimate wide receiver factory in Columbia, South Carolina.
Shi Smith NFL Draft Profile
Height: 5ft-10
Weight: 190 lbs
Position: Wide Receiver
School: South Carolina
Current year: Senior
A high pedigree player, Shi Smith dawned the field for Union County High School in South Carolina. While there, the talented receiver would accumulate more than 1,300 receiving yards in his junior season en route to a consensual four-star rating . Smith handled some injury problems in his senior season, but helped Union County make it to the playoffs. Ranked as the second best player in the state, Smith was invited to the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas to showcase his talents.
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As such, and as a four-star prospect, Smith had a number of offers, including Clemson in the state. Back in high school, while playing as a defender, Smith attended a camp in Clemson. During this camp, the coaches suggested to Smith that he switch to the wide receiver. He did just that, but ended up taking a different direction when he was offered a place to play for Orange and Purple. Citing his ability to get playing time earlier, Smith went to the SEC and South Carolina to play on the wide receiver.
Shi Smith’s career as a wide receiver in South Carolina
Smith fulfilled the goal he set when he signed with Gamecocks. In his freshman season, Smith started seven games and played in 12. He only lost one game against Clemson due to an injury, but Smith was already showing the player who he could be.
A 53-yard touchdown reception against Michigan was the highlight of his freshman campaign. With more than 400 reception yards and the third largest among SEC freshman recipients, Smith’s future was bright in a crowded reception room.
The 2018 season saw another increase in Smith’s performance. With 673 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns, Smith was mostly productive outside the slot with Samuel and Edwards on the border.
The injury bug came back when Smith lost a game due to back spasms. Impressively, he performed two 100-yard performances, including a performance against Clemson where he skied to make a great jumping jump. Smith’s growth in a reliable chain engine was promising for Gamecocks.
His 2019 season was full of ups and downs. Without Samuel, the burden was more on him and on Edwards. Smith did not get a top-level quarterback game, and his output dropped to just 483 yards in his junior campaign. The fact that a knee tendon strain forced him to miss two games at the start of the season did not help.
Still, a big game against Tennessee was promising for Smith. He broke 4 tackles after receiving, including an important one for a 75-yard touchdown on the opening play. In 2020, however, with a bigger role to play, Smith needed to prove his level of talent.
Shi Smith is up to the occasion in 2020
To increase his draft stock, Smith needed to run an impressive campaign in 2020. No matter how short or long. Fortunately, Smith managed 633 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns in the fewest games played in his university career.
Smith’s maturity in the lead role in the Gamecocks attack solidified very well. For Smith, his game at Auburn in particular was impressive. Smith made a series of terrible footprints, exhibiting body control and ball skills at the NFL level.
It was this ability to win over the edge that impressed Smith in 2020. He proved that he could navigate through the middle of the field and hold difficult tracks with his strong hands.
The flashy moments for Smith also came this year, including a one-handed touchdown against Ole Miss. As the main point of the attack, Smith made the clutch and the most difficult moves seem easy. At the very least, it will change the minds of NFL scouts, despite Smith’s obvious limitations.
Analyzing Shi Smith’s NFL draft profile
So, as a result of size alone, Smith will likely be a slot machine at the next level. This is also not negligible for him. Slot receivers in the NFL are needed, especially those like Smith. Few can grasp what he can and bear the punishment he has shown he can take. The ability to overcome these contested receptions and be fearless with reckless abandon in the middle of the field will be attractive to many teams.
I don’t think he is particularly good in athletic terms. Smith is not a world-class athlete. He has great agility, but does not split at a high level. If he splits, Smith usually does so on the scrimmage line with a growing and polished set of shots.
This scrimmage strategy is a place where Smith knows how to win. It attacks the lever and the space out of the crack to open small windows in the middle of the field. Smith can open the field vertically with this too, especially knowing that he can make difficult tracks on the field.
Shi Smith’s NFL Best 2021 Fits
The obvious problems with Shi Smith will be as clear as day. He is not super elusive after capture. Smith has a bit of a boogie, but this elusiveness of the open field is not a defining trait of him. So don’t expect to get a ton of made-up touches to win and make big moves. The athletics area is where Smith falls far short of everyone.
He is not physically imposing, although he is tough. More importantly, Smith lacks explosiveness, cutting edge lateral agility and nothing more than slightly above average speed. This will lower your ceiling a bit, but there is room for a guy like Smith to have a quality role in the NFL.
Possible team-specific adjustments
Any team that needs a slot receiver that can make difficult tracks in the middle of the field will like Smith. The Pittsburgh Steelers initially strike me as a strong fit. Not only is their reliable JuJu Smith-Schuster slot receiver possibly going out, but they led the league in casualties in 2020. Smith just doesn’t take football down with his elite hands. This adjustment naturally makes sense for both sides.
Other adjustments that have merit include Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints, Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans. All four teams could use a sturdy physical slot receiver in the middle of the field.
Smith acts almost like a safety blanket for quarterbacks, despite his size, due to his ball skills and body control. Improved route execution and clearances can design Smith to possibly improve with his consistent separation capability. If he can do that, Smith will be a solid slot receiver for any team in the middle of the field.