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Colts Rookie Spotlight: Cornerback D’Joun Smith

By Nicholas Cline

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In the third round of this year’s draft the Indianapolis Colts took cornerback/safety D’Joun Smith out of Florida Atlantic University.

While he may be a little undersized at 5’10” and 187 pounds, Smith was one of the best pure tacklers at his position in the draft. And he is not afraid to make a hit.

Smith will likely play nickel corner during his first year with the team, as he will battle Darius Butler for that spot.

During the team’s rookie minicamp last week, Chuck Pagano spoke highly of what he saw on Smith:

"“He’s done a lot of things,” Pagano said. “Yeah, he’s got a ton of position versatility and flexibility, so we’re playing him outside. We’re going to play him on both sides, right and left. Because he’s a guy that we think down the road can be a matchup type guy, and we’re also playing him inside at the nickel position.”"

With the number one corner spot locked down with Vontae Davis, and Greg Toler playing well enough last season to keep the second spot, Smith will add depth to a position the Colts historically have not had otherwise.

And one thing Colts fans will notice about Smith is his playmaking abilities.

He quickly adjusts to the ball in the air and ability to go up at the high-point of the ball is key. His ability to play inside on crossing routes will also help the Colts, as Butler struggled at times with quicker receivers.

With Toler in a contract year, Smith will have time to adapt to the speed of the game by playing in nickel spots and on special teams.

And if he progresses like the rest of the Colts staff thinks he can, then he will have the chance to be the second starting cornerback in 2016.

(Videos Courtesy of DraftBreakdown.com)

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