Strengths

• Closes quickly on relatively immobile quarterbacks. A consistently heavy hitter who flashes explosiveness and the ability to separate the ball.
• Smith can move laterally and chase in pursuit. A tough, violent tackler with a non-stop motor, Smith also shows good awareness when dropping into coverage.
• Good key and diagnosis skills. Quickly locates the ball and shows no wasted motion in getting there. At least adequate lateral agility to avoid blockers and shows good vision and anticipation.
• Smith has excellent awareness in zone coverage.
• He’s ultra-aggressive and plays with a non-stop motor, and he has the instincts and closing speed to find the ball and meet the ball carrier quickly.
• Gets pressures on inside stunts and was too explosive for college guards to handle.

Weaknesses

• Easily washed out of plays and loses track of the ball. Runs around blocks and struggles to break away once blockers have a hold on him.
• Has lean limbs and needs to get stronger and add bulk to his frame.
• Lacks functional strength in the pass rush, struggling to disengage and too easily pushed past the pocket.

Derrick Smith percentiles vs other Linebacker's (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)