'He Brings Value': Steve Smith Sr. Raves On A&M WR Ainias Smith's Special Teams Skills
INDIANAPOLIS -- Texas A&M Aggies receiver Ainias Smith might be the next great slot receiver from College Station.
At worst, he'll be an exceptional special teams guy and should have a long-standing career as a punt returner.
At least that's what former Pro Bowl pass-catcher Steve Smith Sr. thinks.
Smith Sr. recently raved about Ainias Smith on his podcast, mentioning how his special team ability makes him a weapon that potential mid-round selection. The former Carolina Panthers star also called the senior "fearless" in how he attacks the middle of the field.
"He brings value to special teams," Smith Sr. said. "He's going to be a slot receiver...he has the third-lowest drop rate of any draft-eligible wide receiver."
Consistency became a vital reason for Ainias Smith's success during his five seasons. Thanks to a 3-yard catch in the first quarter against LSU, he tied Christian Kirk's 39-game consecutive reception streak.
But it's special teams that makes him a vital name and difference-maker in the SEC. The Houston native became the first player in conference history to total over 2,000 receiving yards and 800 punt return yards for a career.
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Last season, Smith finished with 795 yards and two touchdowns. He also averaged 9.8 yards per punt return.
Where could Smith land? Depending on his numbers during Saturday's NFL Scouting Combine drills, the 5-11 target could wind up landing somewhere on Day 2, though for now he projects as an early Day 3 target. He's formally met with the Miami Dolphins, who last season drafted former A&M running back De'Von Achane in the third round.
When asked, Smith said he'd love to reunite with the former All-SEC kick returner and create a little Aggie magic in South Beach. The two have been friends since playing at Marshall and Dulles High School.
"We had always scrimmaged against each other, so it was always a cool little competitive rivalry," said Smith. "At the same, once he had got to A&M, it was pretty wild to me because we had come from the same city, came from the same hood. It was like, we’re both here, doing the same thing that we always dreamed of.”
