2019 NFL Draft: Valuation of positional tweeners in class

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DETROIT, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 30: Tyree Jackson #3 of the Buffalo Bulls breaks the tackle of Sutton Smith #15 of the Northern Illinois Huskies in the first half during the MAC Championship at Ford Field on November 30, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

EDGE/Linebacker: Sutton Smith, Northern Illinois

If you have seen a Northern Illinois game over the last two seasons, you are very familiar with All-American edge defender Sutton Smith. Undersized at 6-0 and 233 pounds, Smith faces an uphill battle in his transition to a rush spot at the professional level.

The next logical projection would be to an off-ball linebacker spot, which is a pretty intriguing option for him. Smith boasts a skill set — namely lateral quickness, non-stop motor and ability to shrink gaps with his outstanding leverage — that project favorably to an off-ball position. Clearly there is a hard road ahead of Smith to seeing significant minutes in what is currently a foreign position to him.

What he does have working for him, is he does have the ability to affect quarterbacks on third down early on in sub packages. This will provide him enough time to get coached up by an NFL staff, turning that projection into reality.

If adequacy can be gained at the linebacker position, Sutton Smith presents a tantalizing chess piece that NFL coaches will be able to use in a multitude of ways, and packages.

Projected Round: 4th-6th

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