National Football League

2017 NFL Draft: Auburn Braden Smith Scouting Report

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Auburn’s Braden Smith is a barrel-chested guard prospect who creates a lot of movement along the offensive line.

Braden Smith is a well-built offensive line prospect who also features good length. He uses his long arms and sound technique to consistently gain inside hand placement. His commitment to gaining proper hand placement is the key to his success as a run blocker.

Smith’s run blocking ability also benefits from his raw power and use of leverage. He routinely fires off the ball, keeps his pads down and rolls his hips to generate a powerful punch. His initial jolt creates space and allows Smith to control the action.

This is an aggressive player who works to the whistle. He also features good awareness that helps him peel off blocks and work to the second level.

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Smith is a solid athlete that is capable of effectively working a trap block, pulling to the edge and climbing to the linebackers.

One minor area of concern is the type of offense run by Auburn. Their spread attack creates a lot of space which in turn makes things a little easier on the offensive line. Auburn’s passing game features a lot of quick hitters that don’t ask the blockers to protect the quarterback for long periods of time.

This is a smaller problem for Smith because of the fact he plays guard. We’ve seen some offensive tackle prospects out of Auburn struggle with the transition.

Smith shows quick enough feet, balance and awareness to protect the quarterback. His use of leverage helps him anchor after contact.

Overall this is a strong prospect who should make a quick transition and make an immediate impact as a rookie.

Current Draft Status: Early 2nd Round

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