Chargers 2023 NFL draft target: Georgia EDGE Nolan Smith

Over the next couple of months, we are going to be taking a look at a handful of draft prospects leading up to the 2023 NFL draft.

With the Chargers having needs at various positions, we will do our best to evaluate the players that we feel fit the team precisely.

Today, I take a look at Georgia edge defender Nolan Smith.

Vitals

Height: 6-3

Weight: 235

College Bio Page

One-Liner

With a lean and muscular frame, Smith has innate pass-rush athleticism, burst and flexibility that teams covet in edge rushers, the proven ability to make an impact against the run, and the energy and football character, though he needs to refine his pass-rush arsenal to reach his full potential.

Strengths

Explosiveness off the snap…Has a sprinter’s first step to get a huge advantage on offensive tackles coming off the ball…Can turn the corner on the outside and work inside…Not a contact-shy player, physical at the point of attack with violent hands to shed blocks…Strong player setting the edge against the run…High effort to chase plays sideline to sideline…Good form tackler in open space…Enough versatility to change direction, drop back in coverage and stick with man…Vocal and energized leader.

Weaknesses

Needs to strengthen his base/add more weight…Not much power behind his bull rush…Needs to develop a wider range of pass-rush moves…Lack of sack production (12.5 sacks over four seasons, never more than 3.5 sacks in a season).

Red Flags

Injuries: 2021 (elbow, missed one game), 2022 (torn pec, season-ending surgery and missed every game after Week 9)

Arrested for driving with a suspended license and speeding through a construction zone (misdemeanor) in January 2022, completed pre-trail diversion program in lieu of formal conviction.

Fit Likelihood

High

Grade

1st

Highlights

Nolan Smith displaying that bend, twitch, and ankle flexibility to slant gaps and make plays against the run pic.twitter.com/lD58reRgD9

— Billy M (@BillyM_91) February 16, 2023

Nolan Smith takes on the pulling guard pic.twitter.com/QDWTPnGUEt

— Billy M (@BillyM_91) February 15, 2023

Georgia’s Nolan Smith dipping under the TE chip and then ripping past the RT for a QB hit. His burst and balance are off the charts. pic.twitter.com/OZDitCWuwl

— Steven Haglund (@StevenIHaglund) January 22, 2023

Nolan Smith#NFLDraft2023 pic.twitter.com/zi37SBuYwr

— Brent Rollins (@BrentRollinsPhD) February 13, 2023

Nolan Smith is also going to be a problem…

…someone tell Florida that the gap isn’t closingpic.twitter.com/lV6l1RocCs

— UGA Spike Squad (@UGASPIKESQUAD) September 9, 2019

Nolan Smith shows some serious craft as a pass rusher

Big step to attack the inside foot, before shifting momentum and using hands to set up the win on the outside. pic.twitter.com/FyFcUsP1Mw

— Jackson Powers (@jpownfl) February 18, 2023

Nolan Smith – 1 of the most improved prospects in the 2022 class, in his 1st season as a starter he’s shown out at OLB for UGA.
Here’s a sack from the 1st game of the season, prototypical speed rush; then jabs inside and fights well with the hands. Has v strong rip to get to QB pic.twitter.com/aLOkTJLfNJ

— Luke Carr (@LukeCarrFB) November 4, 2021

Nolan Smith explosiveness and lateral mobility allows him to split the double team and get the sack pic.twitter.com/XrMr3BVsBr

— Tyler Browning (@DiabeticTyler) January 31, 2023