Maason Smith Defensive Tackle LSU | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report (2024)

Draft Profile: Bio

Maason Smith, a disruptive force from LSU, stepped into the spotlight as a 5-star prospect, quickly establishing himself as a dominant presence on the defensive line. His initial season showcased a promising start with 19 tackles, five for loss, and four sacks over nine games, highlighting his ability to penetrate backfields and disrupt plays. The following years, however, were marked by adversity; a knee injury in 2022 limited him to just one quarter of play against Florida State. Despite this setback, Smith returned in 2023 to start 12 games, recording 28 tackles, 4.5 for loss, and 2.5 sacks. His college career, although impacted by injuries and a suspension, was distinguished by a Second Team All-SEC selection in 2022, underscoring his impact on the field when healthy.

Scouting Report: Strengths

• Made Bruce Feldman's Freak's List - ranked #12. He wrote "The former five-star recruit is one of the most gifted players in college football. In the offseason, Smith hit 19.5 mph on the GPS and can touch 11 feet in his standing vertical jump."
• Exhibits a quick first step off the snap, demonstrating impressive initial quickness.
• Possesses lateral agility, enabling effective movement across the line.
• Shows versatility in alignment, capable of impacting games from multiple defensive positions.
• Utilizes functional strength effectively to set the edge against the run.
• Can use his significant arm length and hand size to leverage and control blockers.
• Displays a high motor and positional leverage, maintaining effectiveness despite his height.
• His striking strength and technique allow for disruption at the line of scrimmage.
• Features a solid pass-rush foundation, with room for expanded technique and moves.

Scouting Report: Weaknesses

• Has missed significant playtime due to injuries, raising durability concerns.
• Experiences difficulties with high pad levels, reducing leverage against blockers.
• While he had a good combine - his athletic traits were not quite as elite as advertised
• Lacks a comprehensive pass-rush repertoire, often relying on brute strength.
• Struggles against double teams, indicating a need for improved technique in handling multiple blockers.
• His play recognition, especially against the run, needs refinement for NFL-level consistency.

Scouting Report: Summary

Maason Smith enters the NFL Draft with a unique blend of size, strength, and athleticism that makes him a potential asset on any defensive front. His college career at LSU showcased his ability to disrupt plays, both in the backfield and at the line of scrimmage. His quick first step, ability to set the edge, and versatility in alignment positions him as a promising interior defensive lineman. However, his impact is tempered by concerns around durability and consistency. The limited snap count due to injuries and a need for a more diverse pass-rush arsenal are factors teams will weigh carefully.

On the field, Smith's strengths lie in his physical attributes and raw abilities. His frame, combined with excellent functional strength, allows him to engage and control blockers, creating opportunities for play disruptions. Yet, his game tape reveals areas for improvement, including handling double teams and refining his technique to leverage his physical advantages more consistently. The inconsistency in his play recognition, especially against the run, and high pad level are points of concern that NFL coaching staffs will need to address.

Looking ahead, Smith's draft stock is a reflection of his potential as much as his past performance. While he has shown flashes of dominance at LSU, the transition to the NFL will require him to develop a more nuanced understanding of the game and a broader set of skills to match up against professional-level competition. Teams interested in Smith will be banking on their ability to harness his physical tools and mold him into a more complete player.

How other scouting services rate Maason Smith (Overall Rank)

*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance. For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.

*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.