National Football League

2017 NFL Draft: Illinois Dawuane Smoot Scouting Report

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

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Illinois’ Dawuane Smoot is an under the radar 2017 NFL Draft prospect who will gain more attention as the season progresses.

Dawuane Smoot is an explosive edge rusher who makes things difficult for opposing quarterbacks. He uses his speed and good snap awareness to keep the offensive tackle on notice. His overall pass-rush arsenal is still developing but he does show several moves.

Smoot knows when to use his hands to use a power move rather than speed. He plays with excellent pad level which gives him the leverage needed to push the blocker back into the quarterback. His hand usage is one of the strengths of his game with the strength to control movement and quickness to keep the blocker off his frame.

One area he needs to work on is developing an inside counter move. This would make his speed and power attacks more effective.

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As a run defender, he needs to play with more integrity and focus. Smoot has a tendency to get up field too far and focus on rushing the passer. However, he shows the strength needed to set the edge when he gets in proper position.

Smoot is capable of crossing the face of the blocker and producing tackles for loss. His quick first step and strong rip move allow him to penetrate and disrupt the timing of both running and passing plays.

This is a prospect who checks all the boxes when it comes to measurable thanks to his good size and length combination. Smoot is a quick-twitch athlete who can consistently attack the edge, but stands out because of his ability to covert that speed to power.

He’s a hard worker who plays with excellent effort and toughness. The fact that he plays on an Illinois team that has struggled the past several years has keep him away from the spotlight. He’s one of those players who’ll really benefit from the Senior Bowl where he’ll stand out.

Current Draft Stock: Late 1st Round

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