Should the 49ers consider Anthony Smith next offseason?
The college football season is right around the corner, which means it’s the final chance for fans to familiarize themselves with the nation’s top prospects. One player that San Francisco 49ers fans must pay attention to is Minnesota edge rusher Anthony Smith. His NFL-level frame, overwhelming power, and strength against the run make him an enticing, high-floor prospect.
Before we begin, it’s important to remember the goal of summer scouting. Plenty will change throughout the season, so it’s irrational to create finalized scouting reports on prospects. This article isn’t intended to proclaim Anthony Smith as the perfect fit for the 49ers or say he’s a perfect player. Instead, it’s meant to identify him as a talented player and someone who could resurface next offseason.
Smith, the six-foot-six, 285-pound redshirt senior, is coming off a career-high 12.5 sacks, 17.5 tackles for loss, and 44 pressures. This performance earned him an All-Big 10 second-team honor. Now, he’s among the top edge rushers in the nation and is primed for another dominant season.
Despite the elite sack numbers, Smith is best as a run defender. He consistently sets the edge and forces the running back into the meat of the defense. Additionally, he has an excellent anchor that makes him immovable in one-on-one situations. His hands pop on first contact, and he can frequently penetrate the backfield by swiping away his competition's hands and shedding the block attempt.
This makes Smith a high-floor prospect with a defined role on any NFL team. Because of this, he will be an attractive player to help bolster the run defense.
Smith won’t be a 10+-sack artist in the NFL because he’s stiff when moving laterally and lacks an array of pass-rush moves. Right now, he almost solely relies on his bull rush and running through the tackle’s chest, which works well in college but won’t succeed at the next level. Regardless, he can still be an impactful player and reach the quarterback.
These qualities should intrigue the 49ers as they need an edge rusher next offseason. Their room is undeniably talented, with 2022 Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa and former first-round pick Mykel Williams. However, both have struggled with injuries and can’t be relied upon to play 17+ games. As a result, it would make sense to invest in another option in the 2027 NFL Draft.
If they do, Anthony Smith is someone they should consider. He could develop his rookie season before being vaulted into a starting role in case of injury or in a future year. His combination of an NFL-ready frame, staggering power, and run defense makes him an intriguing option who could wreak havoc in Raheem Morris’ defense.
