We are less than two weeks away from the 2011 NFL Draft. And we may be close to the end of the possibility of a lockout soon as well. Things may be back to being on track before we know it. And the idea of there not being a 2011 season or even a delayed season may be an afterthought to us all.
Most 49ers fans will agree that the number one and number two positions and areas of concern come at the quarterback and cornerback. Some folks are arguing that a strong pass rush will fix the secondary. However, in 2009 the 49ers did have a very good pass rush and still a very poor secondary ranking toward the back of the pack.
It is inevitable that the 49ers will address both the quarterback and cornerback positions. Whether it is a combination of draft and free agency will not be revealed until after the 49ers are finished selecting in the seventh round. And just because the Niners get players in high rounds, doesn't necessarily equal that they will be good or ready to go. Free agency will be researched as well.
With that, let's take a look at a very gifted and potentially good cornerback in Jimmy Smith.
This video shows is that Jimmy Smith is very good in press coverage and that he is not so great off-man. He lacks a bit in natural instinct but is a player that can be taught enough technique to make up for some of his shortcoming. He is about average speed and tackles very well off the ball.
Here are Jimmy Smith's career stats at Colorado:
Stats Overview
Tackles
Misc
Interceptions
YEAR
TOT
SOLO
AST
SACK
STF
STFY
FF
BK
INT
YDS
AVG
LNG
TD
PD
2007
5
3
2
0
0
0
0
0
1
31
31.0
31
1
0
2008
35
21
14
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0.0
0
0
0
2009
52
34
18
0
0
0
0
0
2
10
5.0
10
0
0
2010
68
50
18
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.0
0
0
0
2010 Regular Season Game Log
Tackles
Misc
Interceptions
DATE
OPP
RESULT
TOT
SOLO
AST
SACK
STF
STFY
FF
BK
INT
YDS
AVG
LNG
TD
PD
9/4
@Colorado State
W 24-3
3
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.0
0
0
0
9/11
@California
L 52-7
4
3
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.0
0
0
0
9/18
Hawaii
W 31-13
5
4
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.0
0
0
1
10/2
Georgia
W 29-27
6
4
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.0
0
0
1
10/9
@Missouri
L 26-0
5
5
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.0
0
0
0
10/16
Baylor
L 31-25
7
5
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.0
0
0
0
10/23
Texas Tech
L 27-24
5
3
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.0
0
0
0
10/30
@Oklahoma
L 43-10
13
10
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.0
0
0
1
11/6
@Kansas
L 52-45
5
3
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.0
0
0
0
11/13
Iowa State
W 34-14
4
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.0
0
0
1
11/20
Kansas State
W 44-36
6
4
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.0
0
0
0
11/26
@Nebraska
L 45-17
5
3
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.0
0
0
0
Summary: Jimmy Smith is one of those players who can boom or bust. He is most likely going to be picked up in the earlier rounds of the draft. So there will be high expectations by whoever drafts him. At the very least, Smith may be named a nickel corner right out of the gate. His style of play is better suited for it anyhow. I can see Smith getting torched by some of the league's elite wide receivers initially. So the smart thing to do, would be to is line him up in the slot and build his confidence up first and foremost.
PREDICTION: 1st - 2nd Round.