2023 NFL Draft It’s officially over, and now, we’ve all had time to soak up the Dolphins’ 2023 class. With only four draft picks, General Manager Chris Greer and Head Coach Mike McDaniel made good use of the Capital Draft – cornerback touchdown, running back, tight end, offensive lineman.
In this series, I will break down the film on each of Miami’s freshman draft picks and project how each player can contribute in 2023 and beyond. First, with the 51st pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins selected Cam Smith, cornerback, South Carolina!
I’ve only watched a few games, but I’m really starting to like what Smith’s camera brings me # dolphins secondary. It’s fast AF and can line up anywhere – best suited outside. I’m excited to see what Fangio can plan for and how much he can grow under X & ramsey. #finsup pic.twitter.com/fw7a1fLqQS
– Josh Hotz (@houtz) May 3, 2023
(Watch this video, please.)
Who is Cam Smith?
position: noon corner
college: South Carolina
hometown: Blywood, South Carolina
to rise: 6’1″
Weight: 180 lbs
40 yard dash: 4.43
Career stats: 91 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble, 18 tackle breakups, and six interceptions.
Why did the Dolphins draft a cornerback?
With how the first round of the draft turned out, this could become the most scrutinized pick of Miami’s 2023 draft class. But when you peel back the layers, drafting South Carolina cornerback Cam Smith with the 51st overall pick starts to make more and more sense. After all, the best general managers in football always seem to look two or three years ahead (I’m looking at you, Howie Rosman), and that’s exactly what I think Chris Greer was doing when he made that pick.
Sure enough, Kadir Kuhu looked great as a rookie. The team has just added Jalen Ramsey in a trade with Los Angeles Rams. But look what happened when Xavien Howard had two groin injuries and lost veteran Nick Needham this season. The Dolphins have been counting on their veteran defensemen Kayon Krusen and Justin Bethell with respect. Besides, both the X and Ramsey are getting older, and we know how important it is to have a good group of cornerbacks – especially with how happy the NFL has become. But enough about the how and why, let’s talk about Smith.
Smith, 100%, sounds like Vic Fangio’s pick. Plus, I think it’s safe to say he was the best player available on Miami’s draft board. And when you turn on the movie, the plan and fit make more sense than ever.
What does the movie say about Dolphins CB Cam Smith?
When watching the movie Coach, the first thing you notice is Smith’s physicality. He’s a sticky defender who can get a little useful at times, but the same has been said of Xavien Howard’s college dropout. Simply put – he’s got the dog in him – just like the famous meme you’ve seen him vomit on social media a trillion times. Unfortunately, I only managed to get my hands dirty in two All-22 games — East Carolina (2021) and Kentucky (2022) — and I’ll admit, I really came to love the selection.
Smith is versatile enough to play outfield and nickel, but he’s best suited to the frontier. He even safely secured some delegates during his time in South Carolina. But what stood out most about him was his anticipation and ability to read and react to what was happening on the pitch. At times, it seemed like he knew what was going on before the offense—blowing up a well-designed screen or hitting the receiver into place.
Smith excels at covering both person and area and, with a pace of 4.43, has the ability to lock in on receivers quickly. He could improve as a striker, but part of that comes from his aggressive style of play. In general, it is a stud. And even though it will be a year or two before he becomes a Miami starter, I can see the vision. And I think he’s going to become a prominent part of the Dolphins defense sooner rather than later.
What do scouts say about cam smith
Bob McGinn of Go Long!
- “A guy with a thin frame,” said one of the scouts. “Smooth, restless athlete. Good pace, and I really like his instincts. He can match top receivers. Not the strongest guy. Not a real physical guy. Not great at the running game.”
- “He can play,” said a second scout. “It’s just live wire. An emotional word would be safe[to describe it].”
- Scouts from five teams expressed reservations about his make-up. “Diva, high maintenance,” said one scout. “Just not good enough to handle all his bullshit.”
- One team removed it from their draft board. “He has anger management issues,” said a third scout.
- “Go hard to train this guy. He’s a good athlete — undisciplined,” said a fourth scout. “He’s talented. Round two. Lots of good angles in front of him.”
Lance Zierlein from NFL.com
- “A tall outside cornerback with instinctive eyes and the ball skills for consistently closing in on throws when in position. Smith lacks the fluidity and acceleration to constantly press and run quick goals down the field. He also gives ground on his lateral turnovers. However, he is very proactive with vision and recognition. The way to shine is from the coverages that allow him to play with his eyes and feet forward.While his timing/length can be a formidable weapon on contested catches, he often fails to get his feet moving quickly enough on turnovers and ends up getting caught by receivers, leading to To penalties. Smith seems best suited to cover the area and out man, but if he can trust his technique he could become more versatile in schemes and evolve into CB2.”
The final arena
I wasn’t sure what to think when the Dolphins drafted Cam Smith. Part of me wanted the team to draft an offensive lineman or tight end. The other part is self-aware, and I can admit that Grier and McDaniel have a much better plan than I do. However, upon playing the movie and learning more about Miami’s newest defensive back, I couldn’t help but be excited about the selection. Smith is a physically gifted corner who eats, sleeps and breathes football. It is best suited for the outside, but has the tools to line up in the hatch and in safety if called upon. And with the help of Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio, Galen Ramsey, and Xavien Howard – the sky’s the limit for Miami’s defense in 2023 and beyond!
What are your thoughts on Cam Smith’s casting? Was there another player you would have drafted at 51 overall if you were Chris Greer and Mike McDaniel? Do you think Smith will make an impact in his rookie year, or is this player the Dolphins will spend their time with? Let us know in the comments section below!