In regards to press man - for 2019, Sharp (or PFF in 2017) has teams in man coverage ~40% of the time, and when in man using press coverage (as opposed to off man) ~45% of the time. Making an estimated 18% of the time in press man coverage. I'd raise that to ~25%, because they include some hybrid versions of shell with man under as "zone". Whatever the exact numbers, even if Smith was less effective vs press coverage (and there's film evidence he's not) he'd still be very effective much of the time. That's assuming teams don't change their tendencies vs Smith, but if teams are going away from what they're best at specifically to stop a rookie wr you've won already.
Now the injury argument is something else, as is the "pushed off his route downfield" argument, but press coverage deficiencies, even if they exist, won't completely derail Slim in the NFL. FWIW, I'm back to liking Chase the most among WR's, but it's close. ( and if I keep reading this board, I'll probably change to Pitts...)
Now the injury argument is something else, as is the "pushed off his route downfield" argument, but press coverage deficiencies, even if they exist, won't completely derail Slim in the NFL. FWIW, I'm back to liking Chase the most among WR's, but it's close. ( and if I keep reading this board, I'll probably change to Pitts...)