Does this OL prospect fit the Chicago Bears new mold?

Tyler Smith NFL Comparison 2022 NFL draft

Thanks to Relative Athletic Scores we are able to find some players with similar size and athleticism to Tyler Smith. Beyond that, from an on-field perspective, the best NFL comparison for Tyler Smith is Austin Jackson of the Miami Dolphins.

You can see the similarities below. It is worth noting that looking at Jackson’s 3-cone if he had a shuttle time similar to Smith they probably would have an even closer overall score.

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From a height, weight, speed perspective they are similar and they have similar profiles coming into the NFL. Austin Jackson was very raw coming out of USC, but like Smith, was one of the youngest tackles in the entire draft.

He would same age as some players in this draft and he was taken in 2020. The same will be the same as Tyler Smith in 2024.

However, two years into the career of Austin Jackson and they have already moved him from tackle to left guard. There are two ways to look at it. In one regard, Jackson has the tenacity, the willpower to be a punishing run-blocking guard. On the other, he is still so raw in space that they cannot trust him against efficient pass rushers.

That could be more of a realistic outcome than a floor for Tyler Smith considering Jackson has possibly found a role. The upside of a player like this can drive them into the first round, but you have to understand the potential downside of taking a player so raw based only on his upside. Austin Jackson is a prime example.