Thursday, April 28, 2011
By Mary Kay Cabot
Cleveland Plain Dealer
CLEVELAND
USC offensive tackle Tyron Smith is one of the six or seven players on the Browns’ radar at No. 6, a league source said.
“They met with him at the combine, conducted a private workout with him and brought him into Cleveland for a visit,” said the source. “They’ve spent a lot of time on him and I’d say he’s in play for them at No. 6.”
The other likely candidates for their top pick are defensive tackle Marcell Dareus, linebacker Von Miller, cornerback Patrick Peterson, receiver A.J. Green and cornerback Prince Amukamara. Julio Jones might also be in the mix.
Smith, the top-rated tackle in the draft, was a man of few words during his combine interview, but said he only gave up “close to one [sack] in the Arizona game” all season. He described himself as “a high-effort guy with speed and power both.”
Most experts project Smith (6-foot-5, 307 pounds) as a left tackle in the pros, but he started at right tackle at USC. With the Browns, he could most likely step in right away at right tackle, potentially giving the Browns a formidable tackle tandem, along with Pro Bowler Joe Thomas.
“The only left I played was my freshman year,” said Smith. “It could go either way [right or left].”
Smith boosted his stock at his Pro Day at USC on April 4, including a 4.91 time in the 40. Draft analyst Mike Mayock has him going ninth to Dallas.
“With all 32 NFL teams in attendance, Tyron Smith blew the doors off the bar,” nfl.com’s Gil Brandt wrote. “He had a 29 vertical and 9-1 broad jump. He posted a 4.68 short shuttle, 7.48 three-cone drill and did 31 bench reps. His 361/2-inch arms and size 11 hands also stood out. He put himself in the top 10 with this workout and should be the first offensive lineman drafted.”
Smith and his family are in New York City for the draft.
“It might be a little hard sitting there in New York but I wouldn’t want to miss it,” Smith told the Sports Xchange. “I’m hearing first round; I’m just waiting for the day. I want to be surprised.”