While Colorado Buffaloes offensive tackle Nate Solder could be in play for the Detroit Lions at No. 13, don't expect teammate cornerback Jimmy Smith to also be considered--at least right now. According to Tom Kowalski of MLive.com, the Lions would like Nebraska cornerback Prince Amukamara to fall to the 13th pick, but if he doesn't, they will likely skip on drafting a cornerback with the pick. While Smith could go there, the Lions are concerned about his work ethic and other off-field issues, which seems a bit odd. Taking off a play here or there may have happened, but other than that there's nothing wrong.
Smith is considered the No. 3 corner in this draft, behind only LSU's Patrick Peterson and Amukamara. In SB nation's latest 2011 mock draft, Smith is the third cornerback off the board, selected by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 23rd pick. The Miami Hurricanes Brandon Harris and Texas' Aaron Williams go, respectively, to Baltimore at No. 26 and the Green Bay Packers at No. 32.
While there are questions over where Smith and Solder will go in the draft, the one thing that is clear is that they will be first-round picks in 2011. The Buffs haven't had a first-round pick since 2003 when Tyler Brayton went to the Oakland Raiders with the 32nd overall selection. The last time two Buffs were selected in the first round was in 1997 when Chris Naeole went 10th overall to the Saints and Rae Carruth went to the Panthers with the 27th choice.