Breaking Down Anthony Smith's 2025 Season: The Good & The Bad | NFL Draft Podcast

Minnesota Golden Gophers’ Anthony Smith powers his way onto NFL Draft radars after a 12.5-sack campaign—but does his lack of elite athletic traits cap his pro ceiling? Damian Parson and Keith Sanchez break down Smith’s disruptive presence, dissecting his versatility as a 6'6", 285-pound edge who dominates both outside and reduced inside alignments. Can he become a top-tier NFL defensive end, or will questions around his explosiveness and finishing power keep him out of the first round? Key topics include Smith’s eye-popping Big Ten production, positional fit in 4-3 versus 3-4 schemes, and comparisons to Darius Robinson and Denico Autry. The conversation tackles his motor, functional strength, hand usage, and risk of NFL teams tinkering with his playing weight. Is Smith destined for a steady pro career—or does he have another level waiting to be unlocked? Don’t miss this essential scouting breakdown. Timestamps: 0:00 Anthony Smith Scouting Intro 0:37 Anthony Smith: Power & Production 1:20 Strengths, Frame, and Versatility 2:40 Backfield Disruption Ability 5:18 Range, Motor, and Scheme Fit 6:34 Moving Him Around—Matchups 8:58 Sack Production Consistency 9:48 Evaluating His Sack Numbers 10:56 Technique, Hands, and Functional Strength 13:08 Pad Level & Upper Body Usage 16:14 Pass Rush Counters & Reaction 18:03 Weight, Position, and NFL Transition 21:16 Draft Grade Discussions 23:30 NFL Player Comps: Darius Robinson, Denico Autry 28:01 Episode Wrap-Up & Next Prospect Preview Photo credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms 🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts... Locked On NFL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft, & More 🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/leagues/... Follow on Twitter:   / dp_nfl   Follow the show on Twitter:   / lo_nfldraft   #NFLDraft, #NFLDraftPodcast, #2027NFLDraft, #CollegeFootball #footballpodcasts