Alex Smith, QB, Utah

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Apr 13, 2005

Size: 6-4, 215

Scouting report: An accurate passer who is very intelligent and has excellent leadership skills. He reads coverages well, works hard and is very mature.

Buyer beware: Smith played in a gimmicky offense at Utah and will have to adjust to taking snaps from under center in order to adjust to the NFL. His arm strength has been questioned.

Key stat: Threw for 32 TDs and was intercepted only four times in 2004.

Why 49ers will draft him: Smith has all the intangibles, is very coachable and has only scratched the surface of his vast potential.

Why it won't happen: Cal QB Aaron Rodgers, who visits today, is closer to being a finished product and the 49ers need immediate help.

Quotable: "While (Smith is) not the next John Elway or Troy Aikman, lacking that type of arm strength, the overall package of skills he brings to the table definitely makes him deserving of a lofty NFL grade." -- Mel Kiper Jr., draft expert.

--Roger Phillips