Colts 2015 Player Preview: Cornerback D'Joun Smith

The Indianapolis Colts entered the 2015 Draft really needing to address their defense, and the first player they took on that side of the ball was cornerback D'Joun Smith with the first choice of the third round.

Smith spent four years at Florida Atlantic, playing in 44 games and recording 120 career tackles (4.5 for loss), a sack, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 29 passes defensed, and nine interceptions.  He also returned 47 kickoffs, averaging 23.3 yards per return.  The Colts loved the pick of Smith, who they say brings a lot of versatility to the team both in the secondary and elsewhere, such as on special teams.  He's a tough player who is also very fast, and the Colts were impressed by his football intelligence as well.  Smith is one of just two Colts' draft picks who hasn't signed yet (along with Henry Anderson), but that signing will come soon enough.

The Colts have been working Smith at both the outside and nickel cornerback spots during offseason work, as they realize that he's a guy you can put on either the left or right side of the field or in the slot on a particular player, depending on the matchup.  The Colts like what Smith brings to the table, and he seems to have the clear edge at the fourth cornerback spot.  Vontae Davis, Greg Toler, and Darius Butler are clearly the top three guys at the position, but the Colts were in the market for someone to take over as the number four corner after Josh Gordy was less than impressive in the same position a year ago.  The Colts let Gordy walk in free agency and instead drafted D'Joun Smith early in the third round, and he's the guy that is likely to take over for Gordy.  He will have competition for the spot, certainly, but Smith seems to have the edge.

That's an important position because you never know when injuries might happen.  If Davis, Toler, or Butler gets injured, Smith would likely be the next man up.  Plus, in today's passing league, the fourth corner typically gets some playing time in the normal course of a season as well.  Consider as well that Greg Toler is due to become a free agent next offseason and it's entirely possible that D'Joun Smith could be making an impact earlier than some might have expected.