49ers big board for 2020 NFL Draft: Bowl games edition

Pros:

• High ceiling for the professional level
• Pro ready, has the body to start in Week 1
• Magnificent blocking technique

Cons:

• Medical red flags due to blood clots in his lungs
• Plays with a lack of a mean streak at times
• Has little upside elsewhere on the offensive line

While San Francisco has a good starting offensive line, it has to get some more young depth, due to the high rate of injuries that have been suffered this season. Trey Smith is the ultimate boom-or-bust pick for the 49ers to consider.

The big issue is the blood clots that have afflicted Smith during his career at Tennessee. In February of 2018, doctors found blood clots in his lungs, and it seemed unlikely Smith would ever play football again.

This year, however, not only has Smith taken the field, but he’s been dominant doing so, having earned a first-team All-SEC selection for the season.

On the field, Smith is as technically sound as any interior lineman in college football. He has good hands and is an absolute mauler on the field, being able to push any defensive lineman he gets his hands on.

Aside from his medical concerns, the biggest knock on Smith is he sometimes has been guilty of playing a bit soft at times. Offensive linemen cannot afford to play like that in the NFL, or they’ll be taken advantage of.

Scheme-wise, while Smith has played left tackle for the Volunteers, he projects to be only a guard at the professional level.

Draft range: Second/third round

For the 49ers to pick him, they’ll have to trade down as the first round is much too early for them to consider picking Smith.

The real question is, can they look past the medical history of Smith?