Tennessee football: Early NFL Draft prediction for OL Trey Smith

It’s not a question of if senior offensive guard Trey Smith should be drafted early, but a matter of where the former Tennessee football star will fall into this spring’s NFL Draft. A lot of that is dependent on how much emphasis general managers place on offensive linemen in the 2021 selection process.

If you watch some of the film Smith has accumulated over the four years he’s defended the line of scrimmage in Knoxville, it’s not hard to tell he’s a special player. He has a highlight tape comparable to that of Michael Oher’s from “The Blindside”. No, really:

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The 6’6″ 330-pound former five-star recruit from Jackson, Tenn. is explosive, physically sound and precisely physical. He also has all of the mental and leadership capabilities of a multi-year pro bowler at the next level. A player like that is sure to go in the first round, right?

Where will Smith be drafted?

Not so fast. As NFL fans who watch the draft know, analysts and mock draft creators have a general idea of how good the prospects are, but a guess on the selection itself is as good as anyone else’s guess. One thing that remains consistent, however, is position groups that general managers value over others.

It’s the same reason quarterbacks, wide receivers, and offensive tackles are heavily favored to go within the top 10 picks of each year’s first round. So while Smith was a dominant force in the SEC with Tennessee football, he could wait longer to hear his name called based on what positions team in the first round draft.

Despite the AP All-American snub, the senior offensive guard has earned recognition from some of sports media’s biggest names. Following the conclusion of the 2020 college football season, ESPN’s 2021 Draft prospect rankings sat Smith as the 26th best player available and the second-best offensive guard available.

CBS Sports currently lists Smith as their 28th best available prospect, naming the former five-star prospect and three-time All-SEC blocker as the sixth best overall offensive lineman. So both ESPN and CBS have him as a first-round caliber player.

But as we know, the best-rated players don’t always go in the order they’re ranked, putting the fate of Smith’s draft position in the hands of the team’s drafting later in the first round. After what many experts considered a lackluster performance at the 2021 Reese’s Senior Bowl, look for Smith to wait until day two to hear his name called.

With two picks in the first round and another pick early in the second, the Miami Dolphins will look to stockpile offensive weapons to aid young quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. It’s almost a lock that one of their first three picks will be used to select a wide receiver, and the others will likely sway in favor of an offensive lineman or another skill player.

Smith, who has undeniable first-round talent, would be a steal for any team, but particularly the Dolphins, if he is taken in this spring’s second round. Look for the Dolphins to fortify the interior of their offensive line for years to come.

We’ve labeled this as an “early” draft prediction because we plan to revisit Smith and the other two Tennessee football prospects’ draft status closer to selection night. Between then and now, teams will interview players and get a better idea of who they’d like to select. Until then, this is where we think Smith will land in the 2021 NFL Draft.