Former Georgia outside linebacker Nolan Smith has been shooting up teams’ draft boards ever since his incredible performance at the NFL combine.
With Wednesday marking the final day that teams can host draft prospects at their facilities, Smith spending time with the Arizona Cardinals as the pre-draft visit window comes to a close.
The Cardinals hold the No. 3 pick in the NFL draft, which begins Thursday, April 27. The Cardinals are projected to trade the pick to a team in need of a quarterback and move down in the first round.
But Arizona will need to be sure not to move too far down, if it does indeed want to draft Smith.
ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler discussed which prospects we may see get drafted earlier than many expected, where he identified Smith as a potential candidate.
“Some scouts are giving off top-10 vibes for Smith, nothing that the Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 17 could be his floor.”
Also making a visit on Wednesday is former Georgia offensive tackle Broderick Jones, who is visiting the Kansas Chiefs. He visited the Chicago Bears on Tuesday, per Ian Rapoport.
On the last day of Top 30 visits:
— #Georgia LB Nolan Smith is with the #AZCardinals.
— #Clemson DT Brian Bresee is with the #Colts.
— #Texas RB Roschon Johnson ends his wild schedule with the #49ers.
— #Georgia OT Broderick Jones is with the #Chiefs after Chicago yesterday.— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 19, 2023
The 6-foot-2, 238-pound pass rusher showed off his explosive lower body with a 41.5-inch vertical jump. Only three linebackers have recorded a higher vertical jump in NFL combine history (one of them is former Georgia linebacker Channing Tindall).
Smith had 110 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, a forced fumble, an interception, and three fumble recoveries during his four year career at Georgia. He was sidelined in 2023 after playing in eight games due to a torn pectoral muscle.
Smith ran the fastest 40-yard dash of any linebacker at the combine with a time of 4.39 seconds. He is the heaviest player to have a vertical jump over 40 inches and a 40-yard dash under 4.4 seconds.
Right now, Smith’s odds are set at +10,000 to be the first defensive player selected in the draft, per BetMGM.
Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire.
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside.
