Smoke Monday

TCUDan said
I know most of the UDFA hype right now is centered around Abram Smith and Rashid Shaheed (rightly so), but I think Smoke makes the team. I had him as a late alternate on my utopia draft and was really glad to see the Saints get him as a UDFA.

I'm even more happy now that I've gone back and watched a little film. I don't have his measurables off the top of my head, but the guy is EXTREMELY 1) instinctive, 2) physical, 3) assignment sound. He also plays with a f-ton of attitude, just exudes swagger, but not for swagger's sake. You can see when he's on the field, he's comfortable, he's a fish in water. Honestly... I'm really impressed.

He's a great special teamer to boot, and I think he easily bumps someone like Sorensen out for a roster spot. In fact, the three UDFAs who I give the best chance of making the roster--Smoke, Smith, and Shaheed--all are huge value+ on ST (Abram isn't talked about enough in that regard, dude started games at Baylor at freaking LB).

Anyway, I see a bright future for Smoke in the NFL. He'll be much more than a STer one day. I'm sure he ran a pedestrian 40 or something that made him drop, but this guy really fits the Saints defensive backfield and defense as a whole. I think he's going to turn some heads in camp and the preseason.

This is what I found on NFL.com:

https://www.nfl.com/prospects/smoke-monday/32004d4f-4e12-3542-b318-1cc40a6d4d96
BIO: Quindarious "Smoke" Monday was given the nickname by his grandfather because he was constantly running around the house when he was young. He played in all 13 games with one start as both a freshman (15 tackles, two sacks, one interception, one blocked kick) and sophomore (20 tackles, two for loss, one interception returned for a score). Monday then became a starter for 10 of 11 appearances in 2020, racking up 73 stops, four for loss, two interceptions (one returned for a TD) and three pass breakups. He started 12 of 13 games in 2021 (64 tackles, nine for loss with two sacks, one interception, five pass breakups). He was ejected from the team's bowl game against Houston for targeting (after having an earlier targeting call overturned). -- by Chad Reuter

Strengths

Loves football and plays with passion.
Possesses unmistakable alpha mentality.
Viable add-on run supporter in the box.
Flows with leverage to the ball like a linebacker.
Looks to impose punishment when tested.
Finished 2021 with nine tackles for loss.
Reads quarterback for early jumps on the throw from short zone.
Has three career interception returns for touchdowns.
Four-phase special teams experience.

Weaknesses

Stiff and upright in his backpedal.
Below-average speed to run and cover in space.
Tight hips stall his coverage transitions.
Penn State's passing attack had his head spinning.
Unsure when processing route combinations and stacked release.
Very gullible against play-action.
Defaults to striking rather than wrapping up the target.

Sources Tell Us

"When all his teammates were opting out of their bowl game, Smoke opted in because he couldn't imagine not playing in an extra game. I want those kinds of guys on my field." -- Executive for NFC team

Also this at RAS.football:

https://ras.football/ras-information/?PlayerID=21387&piece of work=FS