Pictured above is all-pro corner back Champ Bailey on the left, and aspiring rookie Alphonso Smith.

Smith, taken with the fifth overall pick in the second round in the NFL Draft three weeks ago, came out of Wake Forest. Smith holds the ACC record for most interceptions in a career, with 21. 

Coincidentally, Smith broke the record of former Broncos’ corner back Dre Bly.

Alphonso Smith was on the 2007 All-ACC team, and a third-team 2007 All-American.

The Broncos traded their first round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft to get Smith. 

Originally, when I saw this trade go down, I thought the Broncos were going to pick up USC linebacker Rey Maualuga for sure. I, like many others, was surprised when we saw this scenario not happen.

Alphonso Smith is 5’9″, and weighs 193 pounds. He ran a 4.51 40-yard dash time, which was just .05 seconds off of the best corner in the draft’s best time.

What Smith lacks in size, he gains in athletic ability. With his 21 interceptions and 174 tackles in his NCAA career, Smith is likely the most underrated corner back in the draft.

With 15 of his 21 interceptions coming in his junior and senior football seasons, Smith has shown his potential as an NFL corner back. 

Smith also scored three touchdowns in his junior season, and has forced four fumbles in his career.

A tandem of Champ Bailey and Alphonso Smith could be very dangerous in years to come. With Champ’s raw, aggressive covering style and Smith’s pure athletic ability covering up wide receivers, I see no reason why these two can’t match up with the likes of the Patriots’ or Colts’ receivers.

Alphonso Smith will likely be competing for a starting cornerback job when training camps open later this summer.

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