Patriots Rookie Projections: Lee Smith

by Greg Knopping on May 16, 2011 11:00 AM EDT in New England Patriots NFL Draft

The seventh in a series looking at the Patriots' 2011 NFL Draft picks, and the roles they might play for the Patriots next year.

Name: Lee Smith

School: Marshall

Position: Tight End

Drafted: 5th Round, 159th Overall

Projected Stats: 3 Games Played, 1 Start; 1 reception, 7 yards

Projected Role: Lee Smith is a big body who joins a crowded group at the tight end position for the New England Patriots. Smith is an excellent blocker, arguably the best in-line blocking tight end in the 2011 NFL Draft. However, he is not polished as a receiver and certainly will not take playing time or a roster spot away from Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez because of that. He will get a chance to compete with Alge Crumpler for a spot, although I believe Crumpler's veteran leadership, toughness, smarts, and experience will make him a very tough cut. Smith will have to prove he is worth keeping around as a fourth tight end, or else he will land on the practice squad. Either way, come 2012, Smith will likely be the top in-line blocking tight end for the Patriots, if they can get him to the practice squad without him being claimed off waivers.

Bottom Line: Practice squad in 2011, top blocking tight end in 2012

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I'm pretty nervous that he's not going to make the 53, nor make it through to the practice squad.

I can see him (and Carter) snatched up in-between.

by wildcat61 on May 16, 2011 2:53 PM EDT reply actions

Yes, this worries me too.

But if these two guys really play as well as we hope, they’ll make the 53 right off the bat.

by Greg Knopping on May 16, 2011 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions

He might take the spot that'd otherwise go to a 5th RB.

IE – Faulk’s spot.

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by Comedic.Sans on May 17, 2011 4:21 AM EDT up reply actions

I could see the Pats keep 4 TEs.

Especially since we don’t have a true FB. Let’s say Faulk retires and they don’t bring back Morris or Taylor. Than you have a backfiend of BJGE, Woody, Vereen, and Ridley. They’ve carried 5 backs before, so carrying only 4 and without a true FB they might keep 4 TEs.

by UtopianAverage on May 16, 2011 3:27 PM EDT reply actions

I wouldn't count that possibility out

I could also see Smith becoming a solid ST player, so we’ll see how that helps him out

by Greg Knopping on May 16, 2011 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Isn't Smith the guy who can long-snap?

I think there’s your roster spot right there if he proves he’s up for the task. It’s significantly more desirable to have Smith be on the roster and long-snapping than a specialist, even though there’s an injury risk.

by wildcat61 on May 16, 2011 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions

His LS ability has been overstated

He was a backup LS at Marshall. He has not long snapped in a game.

by BenCoatesFTW on May 16, 2011 7:04 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm pretty sure LS is not something that can be understated

Unless you’re the Steelers.

If knowledge is power and power corrupts...

by satsunada on May 16, 2011 7:05 PM EDT up reply actions

How the O-Line situation gets resolved will also factor in

If Connolly is full-time on the line, that could shade the decision to keep a big TE to play FB in the jumbo formation. Having a TE in that role instead of a lineman has distinct advantages. The defense would have to honor the receiving threat and running threat more.

Last couple of years we kept 6 WR, 5 RB, and 3 TEs. I think the number of skill players will remain at 14, but we could see a shift in distribution. I can see a blocking TE in lieu of a FB or a receiving TE(Hernandez) instead of 6th WR so we can carry 4 TEs. With all the off-season attention on the offense being run oriented, it is likely we will see the running game expanded like the TE role was last year.

by BenCoatesFTW on May 16, 2011 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions

I doubt he makes it to the PS

And I think they learned from Ted Larsen last year that sneaking guys in, even later picks, can be tough. I think he makes the 53 man roster as a 4th TE.

“1 reception, 7 yards”. Hahah

Deep in enemy territory

by JeffyB on May 16, 2011 3:38 PM EDT reply actions

Not to mention the Garrett Mills fiasco a few years ago

For some reason our TE seem to be something of a commodity in the league. Daniel Graham went to Denver. Dave Thomas New Orleans. Ben Watson was the non-Hillis part of the Browns offense. I hope they don’t try to sneak him on the PS.

by BenCoatesFTW on May 16, 2011 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions

There are too many Belichickians out there, nowadays.

Belichick’s personnel moves are watched by far more higher-ups in the league than they were 5-6 years ago. If he sees any potential in Smith, he’ll find a way to get him onto the roster, whether it means cutting Crumpler, cutting the remaining Wonder Twin, cutting one of the bottom-dwelling WRs, etc.

by nbradley07 on May 16, 2011 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions

As far as the WR’s go: I think we’ll have 5. Price, Tate, Branch, Welker and Edelman. We didn’t get a WR in this past draft, so Welker should be safe for this season. For some reason i think we may lose him.

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by PatNation85 on May 16, 2011 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Wilhite's gone

and I think Slater might be the odd man out on the offense here. Crumpler is too important with his effective blocking, knowledge of the offense, and leadership. Tate and Price are too important as developing WRs and BB said recently he was real happy with how Edelman turned out as a punt returner and reserve WR so I think he stays too.

Deep in enemy territory

by JeffyB on May 17, 2011 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions

You're right

Belichick has been out-Belichicked at times because other GMs, coaches, and personnel guys study and try to emulate his success. Because of that, a number of teams out there will draft like him too which means a greater number of teams fighting for the same type of player.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on May 17, 2011 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Crumpler is gonna be gone or put on pup..

Crunmp has a big contract coming due while he is coming off major shoulder surgury…Crumps contract expires next year…lee smith is supose to be a stud blocker, the best in the draft…he’s the FUTURE Crumpler of the team & will not be put on practice squad or through waivers, it would be wat too much of a risk….I just don’t see Bill taking that risk…Also, if Bill can get a stud blocker for next to nothing compaired to what it would cost to keep Alge i see Bill letting Alge go….

by KissBillsRings on May 16, 2011 4:52 PM EDT reply actions

I dno't think a 34-year-old Alge Crumpler is going to command too much on the open market.

by wildcat61 on May 16, 2011 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Lee Smith is going to follow in the footsteps of his fellow Marshall Alumni and ex Patriots player (can't remember his name though)

That dude was our 3rd TE and our LS during the 90’s.

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by NinjaZX6R on May 16, 2011 7:43 PM EDT reply actions

Mike Bartrum

by BenCoatesFTW on May 16, 2011 7:52 PM EDT up reply actions

or another ex-marchall alum who played WR, CB, and punt returner

I can't remember his name though

by cruelangelT on May 18, 2011 7:46 PM EDT up reply actions

*Marshall

by cruelangelT on May 18, 2011 7:48 PM EDT up reply actions

I want to see Herndo running at FB sometimes, on dives.
No lead blocking, just 245 or whatever pounds of him taking a handoff and smoking fools!

by quadruple option on May 17, 2011 1:12 AM EDT reply actions

I wonder why they don't use Gronk at FB.

He’s a steam roller. Probably the closest guy to Edward currently on the roster.

by nbradley07 on May 17, 2011 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions

He's usually lined up as a blocker in a power formation anyway.

They’d have to drop him into the backfield, but with Smith and Crumpler, that could certainly happen.

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by SlotMachinePlayer on May 17, 2011 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions