

Smith and Waddle figure to challenge with numbers somewhere in the middle, and this is the standard they will be judged against. Of Alabama's five previous first-round picks, Cooper had the most yards and receptions and Ridley had the most TDs. Smith likely will be drafted ahead of Waddle, but that doesn't mean the latter won't have a more productive rookie season. Smith recorded 20 touchdowns and 1,600 yards and also won several trophies. Unlike 2020, we do not think the expected draft order will flip. Devonta Smith Biography, Wiki- Know All About Age, Stats, Family, Parents, Mother, Degree, Draft, 40 Time & More Devonta Smith is an American soccer Wide receiver for the Alabama Crimson Tide. 12 with Philadelphia – where Waddle could reunite with former Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts. 6 with Miami – the same rules apply with Tagovailoa – to No. That's a good landing spot, but Waddle's big-play ability could land him anywhere from No.
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"The Chargers will be locked into Waddle should he slip out of the top 10 as a new big-play target for Justin Herbert to complement Keenan Allen well and become a field-stretching upgrade over oft-injured Mike Williams." SN's Vinnie Iyer has Waddle landing with the Los Angeles Chargers with the No. 9) also could be in the mixt for Smith in the first round. 6) also could draft Smith and pair him with former Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. 1 available."Īt that point, Smith would be the second receiver taken in the 2021 NFL Draft behind LSU's Chase, who totaled 84 receptions for 1,780 yards and 20 TDs as a junior before opting out last season.
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Ultimately, after being gutted at the position in free agency, they need to go with the best all-around No. "The Lions would be ready to jump on Ja'Marr Chase should he slip and also will need to give thought to Smith's former Alabama teammate, Jaylen Waddle. SN's Vinnie Iyer has Smith landing with the Detroit Lions at the No. MORE: Ranking the top WRs in the 2021 NFL Draft DeVonta Smith draft projection Both also could be involved in the punt return game, though Waddle is a better bet for that early in his career.


Both showed they can play on the outside, but they could each seem time in the slot – especially as rookies. Smith and Waddle's versatility is what might separate them from the other first-round picks. Smith, however, went on a tear for the remainder of the season – which included a record-setting performance in the College Football Playoff. Smith and Waddle were 1A and 1B in Alabama's high-powered passing attack, and Waddle was the leading receiver at the time of his injury. Calvin Ridley (6-1, 190) and Jeudy (6-1, 193) had similar dimensions, and Ruggs (5-11, 188) shot up draft boards with a 4.27 in the 40-yard dash at the 2020 NFL Combine. Julio Jones (6-3, 220 pounds) and Amari Cooper (6-1, 210) did not face questions about their size. That's a tough call because Smith and Waddle are different than Alabama's past first-round receivers under Nick Saban.
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He returned for the CFP championship game, but he was still limited because of the leg injury. Waddle is 5-foot-10 and 182 pounds, and he also declined to run the 40-yard dash at Alabama's Pro Day. Waddle was one of the most exciting players in college football the last three seasons. He was a first-team SN All-American selection as a returner in 2019, and he had 28 catches for 591 yards – an average of 21.1 yards per catch – with four TDs before suffering a leg injury in Alabama's sixth game this season. He is the third wide receiver selected in this mock draft.įor more 2021 NFL Draft coverage and player profiles, check out the our NFL Draft page.The referenced media source is missing and needs to be re-embedded. Credit: Roger Steinman/AP Photo DeVonta Smith Draft ProjectionĪll 2021 NFL Draft Projections are taken from the latest CBS NFL Mock Draft by Ryan Wilson.ĭeVonta Smith is currently projected to be drafted by the New England Patriots at No. Smith is also a liability in run blocking. His lack of strength makes him vulnerable to press coverages. Smith’s skinny frame stood out in the SEC, and such physical discrepancies will only be further magnified against NFL defenders. The 175-pound weight that he pairs with said height is. Height is not really a huge concern, at 6-1. The greatest concern surrounding Smith is his size. Even when he can’t necessarily use his physical attributes to create separation, his understanding of routes enables him to get open anyways. Smith’s route-running skills are second to none. He has sure hands and excellent body control, two factors that enable him to excel at making catches in traffic. During his time in Tuscaloosa, Smith played a number of different roles for the Tide. DeVonta Smith is uber-talented and a tremendous playmaker. Winning the 2020 Heisman Trophy and bringing home a national championship kind of speaks for itself.
