After winning the Heisman Trophy, Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver DeVonta Smith is one of the most well-known weapons on the 2021 NFL Draft circuit. Having said that, there is some discussion to be had regarding where Smith will go off the board and where his talents will be best utilized. What is DeVonta Smith’s draft projection, and what are some of the best landing spots for him? Despite his weight, Smith has the talent and work ethic to thrive in the NFL.
Analyzing DeVonta Smith’s 2021 NFL Draft projection
There isn’t much DeVonta Smith can’t do at the wide receiver position. Looking at a receiver of his stature — long, nimble, and lean, but ultimately slight — that’s a bold statement to make. Smith isn’t the imposing specimen that other prospects have mirrored in recent years. Nevertheless, Smith is a widely-renowned offensive threat.
[sv slug=”drizly”]Smith caught passes from both Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones in college and didn’t miss a step with either one. In 2020, he caught 117 passes for 1,856 yards and 23 touchdowns. Against Ohio State in the National Championship, he racked up 12 catches for 215 yards and 3 scores. His résumé on the field checks almost every box, both in terms of production and diagnostic execution.
How does Smith stack up as a prospect?
Former and current Alabama prospects Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III, and Jaylen Waddle all have clearly marketable primary traits. Jeudy won hearts with his route running. Ruggs, meanwhile, drew allure with his speed. And Waddle’s overall dynamic ability has him comfortably in the top half of the first round in most 2021 NFL Mock Drafts. Smith, meanwhile, is more of a jack of all trades.
Smith brings crisp urgency and fine-pointed detail on every route run. Off the line of scrimmage, he has good explosiveness, and at his route breaks, he can be effortlessly sudden. He has strong hands and steely focus, and his sheer consistency, along with his exceptional athleticism, makes him a safe bet to make. Nevertheless, Smith’s size remains a question, even as he’s succeeded in spite of it. His March 23 pro day will only accentuate the issue.
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Among other things, with his size, Smith doesn’t have the propensity to be overly physical off the line like Ja’Marr Chase, and it also might impact his consistency against larger, more physical defensive backs in the NFL. Smith is an immaculate prospect, but because of his weight, there is a rational avenue for Smith falling.
In that scenario, teams like the New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints make sense as landing spots as early draft projections for DeVonta Smith. But if his talent takes precedence, then teams listed earlier on the draft board might demand more attention.
Best landing spots for DeVonta Smith
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins make sense as a fit for DeVonta Smith, even after signing former Houston Texans’ standout Will Fuller in free agency. With Fuller, the Dolphins have the speed and dynamic separation ability to mirror the contested-catch savants DeVante Parker and Preston Williams. However, the Dolphins could still use a marriage of the two skill sets, and that’s where DeVonta Smith comes in.
DeVonta Smith’s draft projection favorably transmutes into this role. Smith has the crisp separation capacity like Fuller, but he also possesses the strong hands and focus necessary to hold his own in contested situations.
Furthermore, he already has pre-existing chemistry with Tua Tagovailoa. The bigger question isn’t how Smith fits the Dolphins, but where do they acquire him? The third overall pick is a little high for Smith, but if Miami tries to wait for him to fall to No. 18, he could very well be gone before then. If he falls, however, it’s an easy pick to make.
Philadelphia Eagles
DeVonta Smith was a glue guy for the Alabama offense. After Jaylen Waddle went down against Tennessee, the offense somehow didn’t miss a beat, and Smith’s presence was a big reason why.
No matter what other turmoil might be impacting a receiving corps at any given moment, Smith’s steady output gives teams some security in their weapons. That’s exactly what the Philadelphia Eagles need.
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The Eagles still have no definitive answers on offense. If they stick with Jalen Hurts, they need far more than what they have now in his supporting cast. If they select a quarterback at No. 6 overall, they’ll be throwing that QB into a situation where they have no proven weapons.
Smith doesn’t get the Eagles a quarterback, but he does give them a safe, well-rounded player to boost up the unit’s baseline a bit. If they roll with Hurts, Smith can help him produce. And if they eventually move on, Smith would be an invaluable asset for a rookie QB.
New York Giants
The Giants signed John Ross in free agency, and they also appear to be one of the primary suitors for former Lions wideout Kenny Golladay. However, until they sign Golladay, and even when they do, they could still use more well-rounded talent in their receiving group.
It would be smart to supply Daniel Jones with a receiver who can serve multiple functions at a high level. DeVonta Smith, in spite of his size, projects well as a draft prospect in that mold.
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Smith is proficient at every level of the catch process. He has the suddenness and intricate route-running detail to separate and provide space for Jones. He also has the contortion ability and hand strength to muscle away contested passes. Even after the catch, while not elite, Smith has enough speed and explosiveness to provide value.
The 11th pick is a comfortable range for Smith. His weight might push him past the top 10. However, at 11, he provides good value to a team that needs a player like him.
Detroit Lions
The excitement is building around Motor City Dan Campbell, but Detroit’s receiving corps is still in the process of imploding. They’re losing Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones in free agency, and tried to recoup the value lost with journeymen Tyrell Williams and Breshad Perriman. By my calculations, there’s still a decent gap in value to make up.
The Lions’ decision at No. 7 overall is heavily dependent on their quarterback situation. Will they move forward with Jared Goff, or will they dip into the talented 2021 NFL Draft quarterback class?
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If they move forward with Goff, Detroit can easily add to his weapons by selecting Smith. Much like his projected impact in Philadelphia, DeVonta Smith would make Detroit a better landing spot for future players while also providing a complete, well-rounded weapon with the flexibility to line up in multiple spots.
New York Jets
After free agency, the Jets have a decent receiving group consisting of Corey Davis, Denzel Mims, Keelan Cole, and Jamison Crowder. Nevertheless, there’s still room to add another proven talent with inside/outside versatility. Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith projects well into that role.
Smith doesn’t quite have the contact balance or elite RAC ability that a member of the Shanahan coaching tree might value. Nevertheless, his reliability as a pass catcher would be a welcome change for the New York Jets, who have too long settled for disappointment in their receiving corps.
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