Commanders showing interest in Notre Dame cornerback
· Yahoo Sports
The Washington Commanders only have six picks in next month's 2026 NFL Draft and are without picks in the second and fourth rounds. So, it's no surprise that GM Adam Peters and his staff are doing due diligence on prospects projected to go at different points in the draft.
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The Notre Dame Fighting Irish held their pro day on Tuesday, and while all eyes were on star running back Jeremiyah Love, there were several other prospects on the field with NFL futures, too. One was cornerback DeVonta Smith.
Yes, you read that correctly. Smith spells his name exactly the same as the Eagles' star receiver. Even more, both played at Alabama. The cornerback played at Notre Dame from 2021-24, before spending his final season at Notre Dame. He appeared in 34 games for the Crimson Tide, including 22 starts before his transfer to the Fighting Irish.
The 5-foot-11, 196-pound Cincinnati native revealed to NFL draft analyst Tony Pauline of Essentially Sports that he has a meeting with Washington in the future. He didn't specify whether it was an official top-30 visit, though.
Smith played in eight games for Notre Dame last season, recording 20 tackles and three passes defensed. In five college seasons, he did not record an interception. Smith is projected as a Day 3 pick in next month's draft, and Washington has four picks on that day.
Here's what Pauline wrote about Smith's pro day performance.
I spoke with cornerback DeVonta Smith at length, who told me he was slightly disappointed in his 40, which ranged from the low 4.5s to a best of 4.48 seconds, as he was hoping for better. Smith timed a solid 4.11 seconds in the short shuttle and a super quick 6.83 seconds in the three-cone. He touched 43 inches in the vertical jump after having an attempt of 44.5 inches scratched by scouts running the drill. According to the scout, Smith moved one foot before the jump and did not complete a two-foot takeoff. Still, 43 inches is a terrific mark.
That's an impressive vertical leap, and he clearly displays outstanding short-area quickness, which is more important than the 40-yard dash. It could also explain why Smith is best considered to play in the slot at the next level.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders to meet with Notre Dame CB DeVonta Smith