Devin Smith route tree breakdown

[DaCityKats]

 

Part 2 of the route breakdown, I took a look at Devin Smith, wide receiver from Ohio St. Smith is a speedster, who had an average of 28 yards per reception while playing in Urban Meyers spread attacking system. If you have been following the off season (Senior Bowl, Combine, draft), everyone knows most of his routes were vertical attacking routes.  So deeper routes on the tree dominated, the short to intermediate routes, and I think that was all schemed based.

 

I watched 8 games, from 2013 and 2014 years to get a look at what routes Smith ran (I applaud all you OSU fans, who had to watch Braxton Miller play quarterback as well. You guys are the real MVP).  Remember, whether he got the ball or not was really irrelevant in this breakdown, because I was mainly wanting to see what types of routes he was asked to run, and how much success or wins did he accomplish on each one.

 

A win occurs when Smith gets any type of separation, and makes himself an open target for his quarterback. This has to occur in man coverage, as well as in zone coverage. He does not have to receive the ball in order to win the play, but simply become open for the quarterback.  Smith can also win a play if he gets a pass interference called on the defender guarding him, and this happened several times. Some wins came from back shoulder passes, that was created by the Quarterback ball placement, but also by Smith and his ability to fend defenders away from the ball, or his stem in his route.

 

The chart.

 

In 8 games, I was surprised to see Smith only ran 76 routes.  A lot of people figure, a spread system is all about passing the ball 100x a game. Under Meyer, Ohio St still wants to run and pound the ball down you throats. OSU runs plenty of traps, powers, ISO, dives, and counters, as well as use the zone runs to have potent rushing attack. Smith lined up in the slot on 18 snaps, and outside at both flanker and split-end on 177 snaps. He did have some double catches, but only dropped 2 catching balls in 8 games. One drop occurred when he took his eyes off the ball before tucking it in, and securing it.

 

The curl was the route Smith ran the most. He ran a curl on 23 plays, which made up 30% of his routes. He also won on 18 of those snaps, giving smith a win percentage of 78% on the curl route. He would make defensive backs respect his speed by exploding of the LOS, and make a sudden stop coming back to the quarterback. He does not a “ beat the drum” when running routes, to tip of when he is breaking in his route.

 

Smith is lined up to the bottom, on the LOS. the DB is playing 8 yards off.

 

Worried about Smith going past him, the DB is already beginning to zone turn and opening his hips. Smith is starting to come out of his curl route with a 6 yard separation.

 

Smith curls back to the QB, and makes himself available for the pass. The DB is no longer in the TV frame.

 

The second most ran route by Smith was the fly/fade or 9-route category. Smith ran a route from this category on 20 plays, which equaled 26% of the routes he ran. His 70% win percentage shows he is at best running deep and getting vertical up the field. Smith has the speed, and body control to dominate in the vertical game.  He did run 9 clear outs, where the primary receiver ran right underneath where Smith just ran (The quarterback literally would watch 1 read the entire play and attempt to hit that read, and no other). He can stack a defensive back and gain separation by placing his body directly in front of the DB, which will force the DB to play out of position (catch up), or run him over for PI call. Here is an example vs. Michigan St.

Press man coverage look at pre snap.

Press, and bail coverage 3??? Smith starts his route inside of the numbers and slowly gets more wide, the further into the route. This gives the QB more room to get an accurate ball deep, and to the outside so the DB cannot make the play.

 

 

He also attacks the defensive back feet forcing them to open up their hips, with little room to turn and run. By the time defensive back opens up their hips, Smith explodes out of his break to gain more separation.

 

He adjusts to the ball rather well. Has outstanding body control, and can attack the ball at its high point.

 

In the small sample size of short to intermediate routes Smith ran, he won on numerous occasions. Smith won on 80% of the digs/ drags routes he ran. He ran 3 screens, but was not targeted on any of them. I would like to see him get more opportunities in these areas, because he does have very good speed, and showed good COD by running a 6.8 3 cone drill at his pro day.

 

Smith has had conversations with the panther’s coaches, has been worked out by the panthers, and has (or had) a visit with the panthers. I do believe he is on the panther’s radar. Ronald Darby is the next.

[Moorgan]

Bravo. Well done sir. After seeing all that, I can certainly feel good if we draft this kid. Specifically the idea that he is not a one trick pony. I guess 177 snaps over 8 games equals about 22 snaps a game or maybe 50% of offensive snaps? Why would he play so few snaps? Or at least that seems like few snaps to me. Even as a decoy on a running play receivers are generally out there.

[jfo89]

Man I would love to have him on the Panthers. I don't think he'll last till 57 but maybe we can trade up in the 2nd.

[jfo89]

I think that 177 was the number of snaps he lined up on the outside.

[jdpanther5]

Pie'd first, read second. Good stuff as always.

[DaCityKats]

Bravo. Well done sir. After seeing all that, I can certainly feel good if we draft this kid. Specifically the idea that he is not a one trick pony. I guess 177 snaps over 8 games equals about 22 snaps a game or maybe 50% of offensive snaps? Why would he play so few snaps? Or at least that seems like few snaps to me. Even as a decoy on a running play receivers are generally out there.

 

Ohio St is crazy deep at skilled positions, especially WR. he needs to work on his run blocking, so that could have been a reason why he was not on the field as much. 

[Fidel Cashflow]

Wonderful breakdown.

[Nick_81]

Great job again, thanks!

[*FreeFua*]

I can't imagine Smith being there in the second but I also said that about Allen Robinson last year...

You could argue Devin Smith has some first round value given the deep threat that he is.

[JawnyBlaze]

Alright, you convinced me. I'd be happy with him in the 2nd. I only watched two games breakdowns and in those two the fly routes were by far the most successful. The short and intermediate routes weren't as impressive. It's funny, based on the games I watched I made a thread about possibly making Miller a mid to late round pick next year by us to be Cam's backup because I thought he looked pretty good in those two games.

[juliosantos]

Great post, devin smith is 1st on my list with tyler locket being secound

[Bartin]

76 routes in 8 games? That's ridiculously low usage. Most guys are running 25-30 per game.

[O-Ther]

Hope that lack of usage causes 31 teams to get nervous about taking him early so he slides to #57.

[Mol3m4n]

I can get behind this guy.