Survivor I - Alex Smith Commentary

NOTE: this draft was completed on 7/24

Positives - Alex Smith was the 2nd TE drafted in the 2005 draft. He was a third round selection out of Stanford. He goes to the Bucs, where he will be given the opportunity to contribute right away. His competition is Anthony Becht, who is known more as a blocker than a receiving TE. The TB TEs has been known to have good #’s in the past under Gruden. In 2004 they combined for 59 catches and 4 TDs.

Negatives - He is a rookie and may not see the field right away. He has to learn to pick up the blocking schemes and the playbook, and beat out several veteran TEs. And then he may get to see three targets per game as Clayton, Pittman, and Cadillac Williams should be the focal points of the Bucs offense.

Draft Strategy - I think Alex Smith starts from game 1 and I think he’ll put up top 20 #s. I hope this occurs before week 5 when Shockey is on bye. I thought Travis Taylor would remain until next pick or I’d have selected him here.