2023 mock NFL Draft: 49ers watch NFC get significantly stronger
. Cornerback. Gamecocks . Cam Smith. 24. player. 850
2023 NFL Draft, Pick No. 24: Jacksonville Jaguars – Cam Smith, Cornerback, South Carolina
The Jacksonville Jaguars defense was a bit suspect in 2022, and they were especially poor against the pass in this respect. The draft has plenty of prospects at cornerback, and Cam Smith could have been a top-16 prospect in a lot of other seasons.
Cam Smith has turned into a really good corner with South Carolina and is an excellent athlete who more than holds his own in man coverage. Smith recorded 27 tackles, an interception and five passes broken up this season.
Smith is also a physical player, jamming up players and getting sticky on routes. While he has to be careful of doing this (we all saw the ticky-tack call in the Super Bowl) in the pros, his competitive ability is always on show for the Gamecocks.
Smith could stand to get a bit stronger if he wants to continue doing this in the pros, however, given the physicality of NFL wideouts. But there’s no reason why he can’t do so.
If Smith tests well leading up into the NFL Draft, he could very well be a top-20 pick come April, but he still stands as a good value pick in the latter stages of the first round regardless.