Auburn WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith drafted No. 158 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft

Former Penn State, Auburn starter at wide receiver, KeAndre Lambert-Smith has been drafted in the 5th round by the Los Angeles Chargers. Lambert-Smith is the No. 158 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Lambert-Smith as a recruit

On3 Industry Ranking (2020 Recruiting Class): No. 193 nationally, No. 36 wide receiver, No. 4 in Virginia.

Lambert-Smith, a four-star recruit in the class of 2020, committed to Penn State on Oct. 4, 2019. He signed with the Nittany Lions in December of 2019.

Lambert Smith went on to play for four seasons at Penn State. During his career as a Nittany Lion, Lambert-Smith had 126 catches for 1,721 yards and 11 touchdowns in 48 games.

Auburn would go on to target Lambert-Smith when he entered the portal after the spring window in 2024. The Tigers landed Lambert-Smith over Texas A&M.

Lambert-Smith at Auburn

Lambert-Smith took a major step forward at Auburn after his four year career at Penn State. He had 50 receptions for 981 yards receiving and 8 touchdowns on the season. Lambert-Smith is now T-6th on Auburn’s single-season receiving touchdown list with Emory Blake (2010) and Seth Williams (2019).

Lambert-Smith’s 981 yards places him fourth all-time on Auburn’s single-season list behind only Ronney Daniels (1,068), Terry Beasley (1,051) and Darvin Adams (997).

Lambert-Smith’s breakout year in 2024 was a landmark success for Auburn’s wide receiver recruiting under Hugh Freeze. He would go on to be one of the fastest wide receivers in the 2025 NFL Combine recording a 4.38 40 time.

Strengths and weaknesses

Provided by nfldraftbuzz.com

Scouting Report: Strengths

• Explosive straight-line speed shows up consistently on tape
• Natural ability to track the deep ball while maintaining speed, displaying exceptional body control to adjust without breaking stride
• Impressive development in hands technique over his career, dropping his drop rate from 14% as an underclassman to just 5% in his final season
• Shows exceptional timing and savvy on comeback routes, creating consistent separation with sudden breaks and precise footwork
• Demonstrates surprising physicality as a blocker despite his lean frame, including several highlight-reel blocks that showcase his competitive fire
• Elite change of direction ability validated by a lightning-quick 3.83 shuttle time that translates directly to his route-running efficiency
• Consistently productive moving the chains, with 74% of his receptions resulting in first downs or touchdowns in his final season
• Displays advanced understanding of manipulating defensive backs’ leverage, particularly effective at using subtle speed variations within routes

Scouting Report: Weaknesses

• Limited route tree heavily weighted toward comebacks and digs, needs significant development to become a complete NFL route runner
• Tendency to let balls into his body rather than extending to catch with his hands, particularly on intermediate routes over the middle
• Struggles to consistently defeat press coverage when faced with physical corners who can match his length at the line
• Heavily right-side dependent, taking 515 of 531 outside snaps from the right side which could make him predictable at the next level
• Late breakout age as a graduate senior raises questions about his ceiling despite impressive physical tools and steady improvement

Scouting Report: Summary

Lambert-Smith projects as a high-upside developmental receiver who could provide immediate value as a deep threat while his route tree expands. His combination of verified speed and improving technical skills suggests potential as a rotational receiver with starter upside if he can diversify his route portfolio. The comparison to Rashid Shaheed feels particularly apt – both possess game-breaking speed and the ability to take the top off while developing the finer points of the position.

His ideal NFL fit would be with a team that employs a vertical passing attack and can maximize his ability to stretch the field while providing time to develop his route-running sophistication. The improvement in his hands and growing comfort working back to the ball suggest there’s still significant untapped potential. Teams will need to weigh his late breakout against his steady progression and elite athletic traits when considering his draft position.

The complete package here presents an intriguing day three prospect with the physical tools to outperform his draft position. While raw in some aspects, Lambert-Smith’s combination of deep speed, improving hands, and willingness to contribute in the blocking game make him an attractive developmental prospect who could contribute immediately in specific packages while growing into a larger role.