Ainias Smith, WR, Texas A&M
Size:
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 190 pounds
Arm Length: 29”
Hand Size: 8 1/2"
Accomplishments:
Texas A&M Special Teams Most Impactful Award (2021)
“Ainias Smith is an electric playmaker who could thrive within an offense that prioritizes space and designated touches.”
Strengths:
Versatility
YAC potential
Explosiveness
Vision
Special teams value
Concerns:
Medicals (Fractured leg in 2022)
Play strength
Skillset is scheme-specific
Release vs. press and longer CBs
Film Analysis:
Ainias Smith is an electric playmaker with the versatility to align all over the formation and as the motion man pre-snap. A nightmare to cover in man, Smith is a mature and nuanced route-runner but lacks the hips to snap off routes and explosion to threaten more experienced corners. Natural hands to haul in passes away from his frame and isn’t afraid to go over the middle (ended his college career with a catch in 36 consecutive games).
The majority of his touches came via designated looks or in the intermediate areas. Vision and YAC ability are amongst the best in the class. Dynamic athlete with the football in his hands with the ability to take it the distance on every touch. Bonafide home-run hitter.
Smith’s profile kicks into another gear when projecting him as a return man. He projects as a day-one contributor on special teams with a chance to rank near the top of the NFL in return yards early in his career. He’s extremely explosive and sudden to put defenders in his wake on punt or kickoff returns.
Concerns remain about medicals checking out (fractured leg in 2022), overall strength, and ability to separate against more experienced corners on longer, developing routes. Smith is a scheme-specific type of player, but should he land under the right offensive coordinator, the ceiling is exciting as a chess piece for an offense.
Prospect Projection: Day 3 — Scheme Specific
Exposures: South Carolina, (2023), Alabama (2023), LSU (2021)
