Patriots Looking at Georgia Edge Rusher Nolan Smith?
When the news broke that the New England Patriots were bringing in players from the University of Georgia for pre-NFL Draft visits, it may have shocked some that they were looking into edge rusher Nolan Smith.
While yes, Smith did put on a show at the NFL Combine, posting a blazingly fast 4.39 40-yard dash time that blew many away, the Patriots seem to have bigger needs than an edge rusher that they can use with their first-round pick.
But with the expiring contract of Josh Uche coming up next offseason, are the Patriots already planning for a future without the former second-round pick?
Possibly. As Bill Belichick has shown over the years, he is relentless when it comes to roster management; if he sees an opportunity to upgrade.
While offensive tackle and wide receiver should be considered bigger needs for the Patriots at No. 14, if their top targets at each position are off the board, then the best player available could be Smith.
Smith did not fill up the stat sheet as many expected when he went to Georgia out of high school, as he recorded 12.5 career sacks and 20 tackles for a loss. So what would he bring to the Patriots' defense?
Despite his smaller frame at 6-foot-3, Smith was good at setting the edge against the run. Smith is unafraid to play physically against those bigger offensive linemen. As a pass rusher, his bend coming off the edge, combined with his quickness, allowed him to win off the edge.
If Smith were to join the Patriots, he'd likely play a similar role to what Uche features in currently, except his prowess against the run could make him a true three-down player for the Patriots.
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