The Browns, who will be without a first-round pick for the third year in a row, hope to strike gold in the latter rounds of the draft. LSU’s Mason Smith matches the profile of a guy Cleveland could explore.
Without a first-round pick for the third consecutive year, the Browns are expecting to strike gold in the NFL Draft’s later rounds.
That’s why Cleveland’s 6-6, 305-pound defensive tackle Maason Smith from LSU sticks out. Smith fits the criteria for what defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz expects from his interior defensive linemen. He’s extraordinarily agile and has an amazing 84.62-inch wingspan, which could provide him leverage over would-be blockers at the next level.
He also enters the NFL with a lot of potential after recovering from a knee injury this season and putting up modest statistics in his final season at LSU.
Smith’s tale is unique. He attended college as a five-star recruit from his home state of Louisiana, dubbed “the next big thing” on the Tigers’ defense. That was obvious in his freshman season, when he recorded four sacks and five tackles for loss as a rotational defensive lineman. One year later, he tore his ACL less than ten plays into the season while celebrating a huge play. An terrible scenario turned into a learning opportunity for the 21-year-old as he prepares for the pros.
“I always take into account everything and with the knee injury comes adversity,” he said. “I’ve been through a lot, and I believe it has helped to shape my personality. I’ve grown into a better person.
Some clubs may be concerned about their injury history. However, the Browns may have a different perspective, especially given their season. Overcoming adversity could as well have been the team’s slogan in 2023, as it battled through an injury plague to claim the AFC’s top wild card slot. Smith, who has already dealt with an injury, may be an ideal fit for a resilient Browns locker room.
“I think I grew up a lot more,” Smith explained. “I was 19 years old at the time and had to go through the arduous process of rehabilitation. I feel like I’ve matured a lot, and although I’m 21, I feel like I’m almost 23.
Statistically, his third LSU season was not what scouts had hoped for, which is why he is projected as a Day 2 pick in the NFL Draft next month. Smith appeared in all twelve regular-season games, recording 28 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 4.5 tackles for loss. The undeniable potential he offers, however, is something the Browns will certainly cherish when they try to land guys after the first round.
The two parties met in Indianapolis this week. Smith had already seen himself defending Schwartz.
“He just told me that they’re very much an attack defense, which I liked,” he said about the meeting. “I genuinely think my meetings with them went extremely well. I was able to draw certain things on the board, and I believe they enjoyed me and my contributions to the game.”
Another exciting component of potentially moving to Cleveland is sharing a defensive line with Myles Garrett. Smith was also enthused by the prospect.
“I’ve definitely watched him a lot,” he told me. “He’s a really competent individual. He’s going to be a Hall of Famer one day. I’d love to get there and pick his brain, get under his hip, and learn from him.”
Smith measured 6-5, 306 pounds, but he is a slimmer 306. On Thursday, he ran a 5.01-second 40-yard dash and jumped 31 inches vertically. The mix of athleticism and NFL-ready skills may be too appealing for the Browns to pass on.
“I feel like everything I have is an asset to me going into the league,” he stated. “I believe that my length, motor, and consistency will all play a significant role in my success in the league. I also believe that my intelligence and approach to the game set me apart from many other players.”
Smith emphasized his adaptability as another reason he’s ready for the next level. During his rookie season, he used anything from five to zero techniques, acknowledging that three or five are his strong suits. The v-word, however, symbolizes another box checked for Cleveland as they hunt for value in the second round and beyond.
