Round 3, Pick 7: Alex Smith

Alex Smith
TE | (6'4", 258, 4.75) | STANFORD
Scouts Grade: 83

Interesting pick here. TE isn't an obvious need due to the FA signing of Becht, but the TE position is crucial to Gruden's offense -- especially in the red zone. Smith was the second best TE in the draft and probably decent value at the top of the 3rd round.

Only concern about Smith is his perceived inability to block, but I'm sure he can be "coached up" on that. Also another easy pick to second-guess, as there were much greater needs than at TE. Looks like one of Gruden's pet projects and I'm guessing he pushed hard for Smith.

St. Petersburg Times:
4.24: Supersizing at Tight End
5.2: Gruden: Future Bright with Rookies

FAVORITE TOY: Nothing got more of a response from Gruden than when Smith went vertical. The third-round pick is a weapon that has not been available to the coach in Tampa Bay.

"Merry Christmas!" Gruden shouted after Smith hauled in a pass of about 25 yards. "Hey, that looked big and fast!" he said another time. "I've been trying to hit this play for six years."

Gruden didn't mask his enthusiasm for Smith. "Well, I mean, who wouldn't he excite?" Gruden said. "No disrespect to the tight ends who have played here in the last 10 or 15 years, but Alex Smith is what you're looking for as far as a tight end as a vertical threat. He can get downfield in a hurry. He's a quick study. ... We put a lot of plays and shifts and looks in this camp to stimulate him and get his attention, and he responded quite well."