What should Eagles fans expect from WR DeVonta Smith in rookie season? "The ball finds him."
When the Philadelphia Eagles were on the clock with the 10th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the stars were aligned for them to take the No. 1 player on my Big Board. GM Howie Roseman couldn’t screw this up.
After striking multiple trades, moving from No. 6 to No. 12, and then moving up from No. 12 to No. 10, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner was somehow still available. How can you pass up on a generational talent like WR DeVonta Smith?
You can’t.
The Eagles desperately needed a WR1, Smith just so happened to also be the BPA. The pick was made and Smith was drafted.
Shortly after the selection was made and the dust settled, the Eagles beat writers had the opportunity to discuss the Eagles first-round pick. Gaining insight from the management perspective, Roseman provided his take on the Alabama product.
“DeVonta was standing out on our board. We just wanted to make sure we got him. His work ethic is legendary. He’s got unique ability.”
Roseman understood that for the second consecutive year, the cream of the crop was the WR position. What he wasn’t anticipating was that Smith would be sitting in their laps at No. 10.
Roseman on agreeing to a trade with division rival Dallas Cowboys:
“When you deal with the draft, you got to do what’s best for your team. They got who they wanted [LB Micah Parsons]. We got who we wanted.”
But what stood out for the Eagles scouting department, to prompt them to trade up? Why was the team so high on Smith over some of the other prospects? Andy Weidl, VP of Player Personnel addressed the physical traits he covets from the position.
“He’s a smooth mover, he can open up and run. He’s a player who can win on all three levels in different alignments. I think his ability to high-point the ball, to play above the rim, adjust to the football, make contested catches, really stood out.”
Based on my mock draft, the first five picks went as predicted. The 6th, 8th, and 9th spots were off. I had the Miami Dolphins selecting Smith instead they opted for teammate WR Jaylen Waddle.
At No. 8, the Panthers made a surprise pick selecting CB Jaycee Horn over CB Patrick Surtain II, and at No. 9 the Broncos landed Surtain, my top CB in the draft. That left Smith wide open at No. 10.
The Eagles have a great working relationship with Nick Saban and Alabama. Players like QB Jalen Hurts played for Saban while current coaches like OLC Jeff Stoutland worked under Saban.
That only elevated Roseman’s ability to trust his intel and ROLL with the Bama product. When talking to an Alabama guy, Roseman heard four words that stuck with him throughout the draft evaluation of Smith, calling it the best line on Smith…
“The ball finds him.”
Hard to argue that statement in 2020 after racking up 117 receptions, 1,856 receiving yards (15.9), and resetting an SEC TD record with 23 tugs.
But what about the coach? After all, Nick Sirianni is going to be the one working with the Slim Reaper on a day-to-day basis.
“I consistently saw a guy win one-on-one verse some of those top corners in the SEC. And when you have a guy like that, in your offense, that can do that, it makes everybody else around him, better. I see a player with play strength and toughness, over and over and over again.”
A beat writer later asked if Smith should be “anchored down” to one specific role when learning the NFL game. Whether that’s an XZF (split-end, flanker, or slot).
“That’s just not my philosophy. I don’t believe that, Sirianni said. The best offenses I’ve been around, they have to know each position. I saw a very high football IQ when we did our meetings with him.”
I would agree with Sirianni. Just because a player may be primarily tied down to a specific role, he still needs to understand the nuances of the scheme when running routes.
Football is all about spacing, as a pass-catcher you need to know where your teammates are, so when you do break off your stem, you’re not throttling down, trying to avoid a teammate on those crossing routes, digs, shallows, etc.
Last year, the Eagles had little to no depth at WR. The leading receiver ultimately ended up being a “claimed” player off the waiver wire in WR Travis Fulgham. Nothing against Fulgham, he certainly played well, racking up 38 catches for 539 receiving yards (14.2 avg.), and 4 TDs.
But what about the rest of the unit? Hopes were high on 2020 first-round pick (No. 21) WR Jaelon Reagor but injuries derailed his rookie campaign. The TCU product was placed on IR due to torn thumb ligament.
Veterans WR DeSean Jackson and WR Alshon Jeffery were released. 2019 2nd-round pick (No. 57) WR J.J. Arcega-Whiteside has vastly underperformed, registering only 14 catches in two seasons while WR Greg Ward is a WR3 at best.
That’s where Smith comes into play. Despite a sprained MCL suffered during camp, I fully expect Smith to shine in his rookie campaign. People can downplay his size (6-0, 170) and say he can’t hold up in the NFL. I would disagree.
You can’t measure a man’s heart. A man’s passion for the game. Simply put, the next WR Marvin Harrison.
Predicted Stat Line: 52 catches for 681 receiving yards (13.1 avg.) and 6 TDs
Fly Eagles Fly! Go BIRDS!!!!