Scouting Report: Weaknesses

• Lacks ideal size and arm length, which sometimes hinders effectiveness against larger receivers and in shedding blockers.
• Speed is sufficient but not elite, occasionally struggling against very fast or agile receivers.
• While aggressive, his physical style of play sometimes leads to penalties, necessitating more controlled aggression in coverage.
• Hip flexibility and acceleration from transitions are areas for improvement, as they affect his ability to react swiftly to fast-changing plays.
• Previous injuries, including a significant ACL injury, raise concerns about long-term durability and recovery.

Scouting Report: Summary

Tykee Smith's tape shows a player with a solid motor and the ability to play in the box or cover in the slot, offering schematic flexibility for defensive coordinators. His run defense is stout, showing a quick trigger and the ability to shed blocks and close on ball carriers effectively. These traits suggest he could carve out an immediate role on special teams and as a situational player in sub-packages.

On the downside, Smith's physical measurables—particularly his lack of ideal length and elite top-end speed—might limit his matchups against the NFL's bigger and faster receivers. While his recovery speed and hip fluidity are concerns, his proactive play style and ability to read the quarterback's eyes help mitigate these issues. Nonetheless, his draft evaluation will hinge on team fit and the specific role envisioned by scouting departments, mindful of how his physical limitations could impact his draft stock and on-field effectiveness.

Considering his overall body of work and intangibles, Smith is positioned as a mid-round pick who could provide depth in a secondary unit. Teams will weigh his aggressive tackling, zone coverage instincts, and special teams value against his size and speed limitations.