Indianapolis Colts find undrafted gem in WR Tevaun Smith

The Indianapolis Colts used the draft to shore up their offensive line, but they found an explosive playmaker in Tevaun Smith after the draft…

If you’re a fan of big men in the draft, then you probably loved the Indianapolis Colts’ draft. After they used four picks on offensive linemen, the Colts went out and got Iowa Hawkeyes wide receiver Tevaun Smith, one of the most underrated receivers in this class as far as I’m concerned.

If you had put Tevaun Smith in Baylor’s offense, he probably puts up over 1,000 yards annually and double digit touchdowns. That’s not a knock against Iowa’s offense, but he wasn’t used as much as he would have otherwise been in a more spread out style of offense.

At Iowa, Smith was able to learn a more complex offensive system while also showing off his ability to make plays deep downfield. He stands just under 6-1 and at 205 pounds has an intriguing frame for NFL teams to work with. At his size, he ran a 4.38 at the Iowa pro day and flashed some incredible athleticism with a 38-inch vertical jump and a 10’2″ broad jump. He also had a 6.72 second three-cone drill, showing off his short-area quickness.

Smith’s athletic ability was always obvious on tape, and perhaps the most iconic play of his collegiate career came on the biggest stage of his career. As Iowa trailed by three points in the Big Ten championship game, Smith caught an absolute bomb from quarterback C.J. Beathard, beating the Michigan State cornerback downfield and making a great adjustment on the ball before taking it to the house for a touchdown.

More from NFL Mocks

It was that kind of play that Iowa fans had hoped to see on a consistent basis from Smith, but he caught just 32 passes last season after catching 43 the year prior as a junior.

With six touchdowns over the course of the last two seasons and an average over 15 yards per catch, the Indianapolis Colts are getting a really underrated deep threat that can blow the top off of a defense in a hurry.

A lot of the best receivers to come out of Iowa over the last few years didn’t necessarily lack for production, but they lacked elite athletic ability. Smith is sort of the opposite, though the production was there when given the opportunity.

He made the most of his targets and opportunities within the offense, and despite his great showing at the Iowa pro day, he was not selected and the Colts have been given a gift by the football gods.

Behind the Colts’ top three receivers, there’s really a great chance for Smith to make this roster. And, if the NFL doesn’t work out, Smith was a first round pick in the CFL Draft of the Edmonton Eskimos.

Thanks to Friend of the Pants @AndrewBucholtz for dropping some CFL info on us re: Tevaun Smith in the CFL Draft!https://t.co/JFCfxMyzTj
— Black Heart Gold 25 PPG (@BHGP) May 11, 2016

This is a talented young player who has a chance on this Indy roster. This kind of athlete with his big play ability should have been taken at least by the middle of day three, so the Colts came away with an absolute gem on the undrafted market here.

Home/NFL Draft