Tyler Smith found playing time late in his true freshman season for Tulsa at left tackle and proceeded to man the position for the next two seasons. When watching the Tulsa offense, Smith jumps off the screen. He executes with infectious energy and is a tone-setter for the unit. He is a tenacious football player who seemingly looks for pancake blocks on every snap. He is aggressive and fully earns labels like “mauler” and “road grader”. From day one, he will make an NFL offense tougher and more physical.

As a run blocker, Smith is explosive into contact and has the power to overwhelm opponents. As a pass blocker, Smith is aggressive and is a wall once he sets the clamps. When it comes to areas of concern, Smith has to find notably better technique. From placement to timing, his hands are erratic. His feet aren’t synced up with his upper body and it leads to control problems and issues if blockers can work to his edges. His aggressive style of play often reaches frenetic levels and takes away from his power and ability to sustain blocks. While these are potentially good problems to have, the challenge ahead for Smith is to continue his aggressive approach but do it with control and technique. If that can be the case, Smith has the makings of a high-impact starter at the next level who should make a transition to guard.

Ideal Role: Developmental starting guard

Scheme Fit: Any

FILM EVALUATION

Written by Joe Marino 

Games watched: Oklahoma State (2020), Cincinnati (2020), Tulane (2020), Mississippi State (2020), Oklahoma State (2021), Ohio State (2021), Houston (2021), Cincinnati (2021)

Best Game Studied: Cincinnati (2020)

Worst Game Studied: Oklahoma State (2021)

Competitive Toughness: See Above.

Balance: Smith is fully capable of playing with good balance but his frenetic nature can get the best of him. He is overeager and it leads to poor weight distribution and issues with control. He has to do a better job of synching up his frame to stay balanced with more consistency.

Anchor Ability: Defenders aren’t going to find success trying to go through Smith with a bull rush and he absorbs contact well. He has good knee bend and is capable of bowing his back. The concern is when rushers can work to his edges, but his anchor is firm.

Lateral Mobility: Smith has sufficient lateral movement skills and he’s capable of moving his feet. With that said, his range is modest and he works through some tightness when trying to hinge and pivot. He won’t be confused as springy.

Power at POA: See Above.

Hand Technique: See Above.

Football IQ: Given Smith’s inconsistent technique, there are some concerns here. He can get ahead of plays by being too eager and more timing is needed. Penalties were a major issue in 2021.

Versatility: Smith exclusively played left tackle at Tulsa but a move to guard is likely at the next level. I wouldn’t peg him as a gap-scheme blocker only and I believe he can be successful in zone. There is a transition ahead for him in terms of pass sets and proving he can play on the interior.

Pass Sets: As a left tackle in college, pass sets were an issue. He had little consistency with reaching set points and framing blocks. I believe most of these concerns can be mitigated with a move to guard in the NFL, but he will need to showcase better control and consistency moving his feet to stay in sync with his upper body so he can stay square.

Flexibility: Smith is a massive man that has tightness to work through. With that said, he isn’t overly stiff in that he can’t function, but he is segmented when forced to hinge his hips, pivot, and redirect.

SCOUT GRADES

TDN Consensus: 79.33/100 (Third Round Value)

Crabbs Grade: 79.00/100

Marino Grade: 83.50/100

Harris Grade: 79.00/100

Sanchez Grade: 78.50/100

Weissman Grade: 77.00/100

Parson Grade: 79.00/100