KC Laboratory Film Room: How Trey Smith dominates as run blocker

Flexibility, explosion allow Smith to excel in power run concepts

A few weeks have passed since the NFL Draft and all of the early judging and over-analyzing of draft picks has finally ended, to a certain extent.

For me, a few weeks after the NFL Draft is the perfect time to start diving into what a prospect can actually offer to a team on the field. You start moving past instant reactions, preconceived thoughts and emotional influences while reviewing film more objectively and looking at things from a different point of view. Rather than looking for strengths and weaknesses, you can shift your focus toward why the Chiefs have an interest in this player and where he fits with the team. During the “homer phase” right after the draft, every player can look good for a team when the euphoria is high, and that is what makes the NFL Draft so great.

Without further ado, let’s take a dive into the Chiefs 2021 Draft Class and look at Trey Smith, a player who most intrigued me since the draft and through the recent rookie minicamp. I wanted to start with Smith because while working through his film I found myself seeing quite a few parallels to things the Chiefs currently do or I anticipate them doing in 2021. The more I watched, the more I liked him. Then rookie minicamp rolled around and — beyond looking the part and moving like a quality NFL player — I really enjoyed his interview and his passion for the game and hunger to improve.

This Trey Smith review is going to span over three days covering a different topic each day — run blocking, pass protecting and usage with the Chiefs. Even more exciting — for some — will be the fact that these film review sessions will be available with video as well.

Trey Smith Film Review: Run blocking

When thinking of Trey Smith, the first things that come to mind are his ability to dominate in the run game utilizing his power, explosive first step and nasty demeanor on the field.

The example below is the essence of Smith as a run blocker. It looks like a simple climb up to the second level of the defense but it’s the technical approach that allows him to be so successful. He starts with the slide step inside to chip the nose tackle, allowing the center to reach him. Since Smith is able to stay square the entire time, he can seamlessly transition to climbing up to the second level. He covers enough ground with ease and cuts off the backside linebacker trying to pursue the play.

Smith is in his comfort zone working on a linear plane trying to displace bodies along a well-thought-out path. He has great hand technique and footwork off the line of scrimmage that allow him to stay square to his target and not deviate from his aiming point. Using his shoulder and hip to chip the nose tackle allows him to stay square in his climb. Little things like that can make a player great rather than merely good.

Smith is excellent at working on these power concepts but that doesn’t mean he’s a limited mover. He is incredibly flexible through his hips and able to open up off the line of scrimmage and pull with ease. This quick pull has him transitioning to a lead blocker that is turning up the field on a short pull to the outside. To execute this play, he has to be out of his stance quickly and travel the shortest path possible, which he does before framing the first defender who can impact the play on the move.

It doesn’t matter if he’s pulling outside, across the offensive line or just to settle into pass protection, Smith’s flexibility out of his stance and explosion allow him to execute it all. Tennessee didn’t put him in too many positions to pull or show off that ability but when they did, it looked really promising. I almost feel robbed not getting to see Smith block for Duo or Power more than 10 times every single game because of his ability to operate in that system so well.

Smith is a ton of fun to watch as a run blocker. While there are very clear areas in which he excels, that doesn’t mean he’s a liability elsewhere. He has the natural athleticism and footwork to operate in any scheme but if you can scheme him up opportunities to utilize his size and power he will make fans happy. If you can get that size and power on the move — in any direction — he will get everyone up out of their seat.