Derek Smith was drafted No. 80 overall by the Washington Commanders in the 1997 NFL Draft out of Arizona State. 174 regular-season games · 11 seasons as a starter · 59 career approximate value
- Overall pick
- #80
- Round
- 3
- Draft class
- 1997
- NFL games
- 174
- Years as starter
- 11
- Career AV
- 599th at Arizona State
The pick
How Derek Smith came off the board in 1997.
- Position
- Linebacker LB
- Side of the ball
- Defense
NFL career
174 regular-season games · 11 seasons as a starter · 59 career approximate value
- Games played
- 174
- Seasons as a starter
- 11
- Career approximate value
- 599th among Arizona State picks
- AV with the drafting club
- 2746% of career value
- Final season
- 200811 years after the draft
Around pick 80
Who came off the board on either side of Derek Smith.
Boston College
North Carolina
Washington State
Oregon
Arizona State in the 1997 draft
Teammates who went in the same class.
Arizona State
#42
Jake Plummer
QB · ARI
Arizona State · 1× Pro Bowl
#92
Derrick Rodgers
LB · MIA
Arizona State
#116
Keith Poole
WR · NO
Arizona State
#182
Scott Von der Ahe
LB · IND
Arizona State
#196
Shawn Swayda
DE · CHI
Arizona State
#206
Terry Battle
RB · DET
Arizona State
Other LB picks from Arizona State
The program's most accomplished players at the same spot.
Terrell Suggs
LB · BAL · 2003
Arizona State · 1× All-Pro · 7× Pro Bowl
#125
Brian Noble
LB · GB · 1985
Arizona State
#92
Derrick Rodgers
LB · MIA
Arizona State
#29
Vernon Maxwell
LB · IND · 1983
Arizona State
#69
Scott Stephen
LB · GB · 1987
Arizona State
#126
Jason Kyle
LB · SEA · 1995
Arizona State
Other players named Derek Smith
Different people who share this name in the draft archive.
Virginia Tech
About this draft profile
Last updated Aug 24, 2026
Derek Smith in the 1997 NFL Draft
Derek Smith is a Linebacker out of Arizona State selected No. 80 overall by the Washington Commanders in the 1997 NFL Draft. 174 regular-season games · 11 seasons as a starter · 59 career approximate value Arizona State has produced 151 NFL draft picks since 1980.
Where this data comes from
Pick order and career outcomes come from the nflverse draft archive; position, measurables, and conference at the time of the draft come from the college feed. Career columns stay empty until a player logs regular-season snaps.
Frequently asked questions
Where was Derek Smith drafted?
Derek Smith was selected No. 80 overall by the Washington Commanders in the 1997 NFL Draft (Rd 3). Full pick detail at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/1997/derek-smith.
What college did Derek Smith play for?
Derek Smith played college football at Arizona State in the Big 12. See every Arizona State draft pick at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/schools/arizona-state-sun-devils.
How did Derek Smith's NFL career turn out?
174 regular-season games · 11 seasons as a starter · 59 career approximate value Career outcome data at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/1997/derek-smith.