DeVonta Smith was the best wide receiver in college football last season, winning the Heisman Trophy and Alabama in another national championship. He is now fighting for the right to be the top wide receiver selected in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Smith dominated the competition in 2020, with 117 receptions for 1,856 yards and 23 TDs in 13 games. Concern for how high he should go in the first round on April 29 is that he weighs 170 pounds at 6-1, or is thought to be about 20 pounds less than the NFL norm.
But it seems that there is an unfair criticism for a completely elaborate one with no holes in his game. Smith is a hard-working, sure-handed receiver who can run all routes with accuracy, as well as being able to pull off the field and make plays after the catch in the open area. He may not be a pure blazer, but his playing speed and quickness translate to continuing big play-production in the NFL.
Smith is not sure to go ahead of LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase and / or former Alabama teammate Jaylen Wadle, but despite being the top three in that group, he is still likely to qualify for the top 10 overall. Here is a breakdown of Smith’s best draft fit:
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Davonta Smith drafted 2021
1. Philadelphia Eagles (No. 6)
The Eagles drafted Jalan Reagor in the first round in 2020, but he is better suited to the “Z” deep threat receiver for the second year starting QB Jalan Hurts. Hurts and Smith have old school chemistry from their time together in Alabama. Smith fits the profile as an all-around “X” go-to man, with a solid “Y” for the Greg Ward slot. With Zach Ertz tight end on the trading block, there is a good chance that the Eagles are using more than 11 personnel (three-wide receiver sets) in the shift that new offensive-minded coach Nick Siriani has given to Frank Reich Done with the Colts.
Philadelphia needs a reliable No. 1, who can line up everywhere and produce for Hurts, from the early-down home run to the third-down chain-moving route. Should Smith have the best player available, it would be difficult to not take him.
2. Detroit Lion (No. 7)
The Lions have gone from Kenny Golladay (Giants) and Marvin Jones Jr. (Jaguars), giving them one of the NFL’s best wide receiver doubles for some post-free agency combinations of Breshad Perriman, Tyrell Williams and Jeronimo Ellison. New offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn needs a goal like Cooper Coop / Robert Woods to help new starting QB Jared Goff. Detroit should be desperate to pick the best wideout available between Chase, Smith and Wadle.
The Waddles would be more of a fine consolation, but Smith is a better fit due to better technical skills and more natural route running. He is the kind of wideout who can quickly open up for Goff on short-to-intermediate passes that are a big part of his game. He would be a good complement to the acquired skills of running D’Andre Swift and tight end TJ Hockenson.
3. Indianapolis Colts (No. 21)
Speaking of Sirianni and Reich, the Colts can also use the No. 1 wideout for the Eagles, starting with QB, Carson Wentz. TI Hilton will not be re-signed and although there is some promise between Michael Pittman Jr., Zach Pascal and Paris Campbell, none of them being a true No. 1, Pittman made a big slot, Pascal’s No. 2. An occasional big-game threat to the possession man and Campbell returning from injury.
Smith’s versatility will be key to getting other receivers in position to succeed. He may be more reliable than all of them for Wentz in dire situations. The Colts will need to be aggressive and trade multiple places to get to him, but as an AFC contender, game-changers like Smith may be well worth the reach for Reich.
4. Cincinnati Bengals (No. 5 overall)
The Bengals have second-year second-round T-Higgins ready for a stable role for JoBro and feature Tyler Boyd as the slot ace, but not after AJ Green (the Cardinals again The classic number is a zero for 1) signed.
Cincinnati may need to think about safety first, but if it sounds good enough about a combination of Jonah Williams and Riley Reef, it should be about an extra key weapon for Smith, Chase or Florida tight end Kyle Belt. I should think
5. Miami Dolphins (No. 3 or No. 18)
The Dolphins will first need to decide whether to let the wide receiver go early. Oregon offensive offensive penny sewell. Former Texan Will Fuller’s signature to work opposite DeVante Parker does not take him out of consideration as he cannot rely solely on a healthy Preston Williams. So if they go wide, chase with a more natural slot punch from Smith, he may lean, but then, there is also a great appeal to bring Smith back again with Tagovelloa as a well-known target.
Should the Dolphins go to Seawall No. 3, they could still get Smith – if he were a little behind from Chase and Wadle – with his own offensive move in the first round.
6. New England Patriots (No. 15 overall)
The Patriots should be looking for a wide receiver to grab after their heavy investment in free agency (Hunter Henry, Jonu Smith). If the right quarterback or best defensive player is available, they will be fine with it. But they should be willing to take Smith or Waddle if one slips, either by staying or trading with 3-4 pickets. Smith will clean up all of his dirt in the wideout and needs No. 1 for Cam Newton. Any Saban Alabama player who fills a Patriots should be considered fit in any draft.
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