SS, Memphis
(released July 23)
Rankings: NFLDraftScout: 29th-ranked SS, #712 player overall, free-agent grade.
Biography/honors:
2012: Started 10 of 12 games. 50 tackles, 2 pass break-ups, 2 fumble recoveries.
2011: Switched to strong safety. Started all 11 games he played. 51 tackles, 6 pass break-ups, one forced fumble.
Arrested December 2010 for public intoxication and disorderly conduct.
2010: Played in 7 of 12 games at Memphis, starting two, all at QB. 22-for-43 (51.2%) for 246 yards (11.2 ypc), 1 TD, 3 INTs. 19 rushes for one net yard and a TD. Left his second start after getting a concussion and never got his starting job back.
2009: Redshirted after transferring to Memphis.
2008: Recruited by the University of Miami to play QB. Played in one game, with a two-yard completion in one attempt and a two-yard run.
Arrested his senior year of high school for intent to distribute Ecstasy. Spent a year in military school after being exonerated.
Major: sports and leisure management. Recognized for academic achievement on multiple occasions.
Injuries:
2013: Played in two all-star games but did not work out prior to the draft due to a hip injury.
2012: Missed time in August training camp after getting a concussion in the first team practice.
2011: Hand injury in spring practice required surgery. Missed one game during the season due to a shoulder injury.
2010: Missed three games early in the season due to a concussion. Missed the last three games of the season due to an undisclosed injury.
Pro day results: did not work out prior to draft due to hip injury.
Unofficial 40 time of 4.67. Safeties at the NFL Combine averaged 4.61.
Positives: Tough competitor, enjoys hitting. Solid open-field tackler. Closes well on the ball. Looks like he diagnoses runs and screen passes well. Seems to have good change of direction and make-up speed. Plays sideline-to-sideline. Willing run defender good at picking his way through traffic to make the stop. Having been a QB gives him uncommon perspective on playing safety and makes him a good instinctive player. It should also mean we can expect a fake punt from the Rams sometime this preseason. Pretty effective on punt coverage. Plays like a coach on the field and plays to the whistle. Has great attitude and passion for the game.
Negatives: Multiple character red flags and lengthy injury history. Doesn't have elite speed. A little light in size and power. Would like to see more consistent wrap-up tackling vs. attempted kill shots with shoulder. Will be very susceptible to play-fakes and missing tackles at the pro level. He could overcome initial mis-steps and misreads in college but I doubt he's got the elite change of direction to do so in the NFL.
Compares to: Rich Coady.
Fun Facts: Cannon (short for his middle name, Buchanan) appears to lead the Rams' roster in acting experience; he has appeared in three movies. Two of those were "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" movies, though, so he can turn in his man card right now. His father Fred, the CEO of Federal Express and a minority owner of the Redskins, was rumored to have had interest in buying the Rams before Stan Kroenke became majority owner.
RamView: I don't believe Rams camp is just rich kids' fantasy camp for Smith; from what I know, he's gotten his act together and plays with passion for the game, which shows on the field. There are openings to be had at safety, but he's at a pretty big technical and athletic disadvantage to many of the Rams' other DB prospects. His best chance will be to turn heads on special teams, and he's capable of doing that. Still think it's a longshot, though.
Chance of making team: 20%.
Sources: NFLDraftScout, University of Memphis athletics, College Football Reference, Memphis Commercial-Appeal, Deadspin, IMDB, Scout.com, Blue Raider Zone blog, YouTube
Photo: Memphis Commercial Appeal
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