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WR DeVonta Smith, PHI (1 Viewer)

Smith seems to be falling into that so overrated he's underrated category. It was nuts to me when he was being projected as a top-6 pick a while back, but now that he's being projected in the teens in many cases it feels like the pendulum has swung to far.

 
travdogg said:
Smith seems to be falling into that so overrated he's underrated category. It was nuts to me when he was being projected as a top-6 pick a while back, but now that he's being projected in the teens in many cases it feels like the pendulum has swung to far.
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Agree... but I can't see him passing the Giants at 11... they love him.

 
dewaser said:
Anyone worried that Devonta Smith might be the next Dede Westbrook? Amazing college production and great route runners, but thin frames/injury proclivity and lack of truly game-breaking athletic ability holds them back from being truly productive NFL receivers. 
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Smith has an injury history?

 
Deamon said:
Agree... but I can't see him passing the Giants at 11... they love him.
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The Giants are a team that I think should pass on him. They need OL help so badly, and Sewell might be the only guy gone when they pick. I mean, if the goal is being sure on Daniel Jones, protection probably helps more than another weapon after signing Golladay(and Rudolph to a lesser extent)

 
Eagles traded up with the Cowboys to select Alabama WR Devonta Smith with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

The Eagles surrendered picks No. 12 and 84 to move up two spots for the 2020 Heisman Trophy winner. Despite sharing targets with Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs, Jaylen Waddle and other elite prospects during his time with the Crimson Tide, Smith (6'0/166) walked away as the first wideout to win the Heisman since Desmond Howard in 1991, finishing with the most receiving yards (3,965) and touchdown catches (46) in SEC history. His 235 career receptions, an Alabama school record, include just seven drops on 268 catchable targets and the nation's most receiving yards on screens (304) and downfield opportunities (589) in 2020. Some front offices will chalk up Smith's size (or lack thereof) as an issue at the next level, but he plays bigger than most receivers who have 50 pounds on him. Smith has clear All-Pro potential a la Marvin Harrison as a starting slot receiver in the NFL, and fills a massive, perennial need for the receiver-desperate Eagles.

- Rotoworld
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MAC_32 said:
That's about how he played most of the season.
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True, but it seemed like he was still thought of as a 2nd round prospect up until the Title game. 

I really like this landing spot. Probably the only best chance of any rookie WR so far to instantly be the #1.

 
What they're saying: DeVonta Smith is a beast; Eagles have Giants complaining again

Excerpt:

With a Heisman Trophy winner from Alabama now on the team, things are looking up. And it's from there that we'll dive into our latest version of What They're Saying:

The Slim Reaper

Andy Staples | The Athletic

Let's start by getting you amped up. If you haven't already watched the bevy of incredible Smith highlights — some of them are right here — Staples' words describing the former Alabama wideout surely will.

Even after he spent three years destroying college defenses, DeVonta Smith still seemed to surprise opponents as he zoomed toward a Heisman Trophy and a national title as a senior. We could saddle Smith with pejoratives like “slight” or “scrawny,” but after Smith averaged 16.9 yards a catch and caught 46 career touchdown passes — including 23 as a senior — let’s bulk up those adjectives to “sinewy” or “efficiently muscled.” Or maybe we should just let Smith’s nickname explain. Not Smitty, which is what Smith’s Alabama teammates called him. The other nickname.

The Slim Reaper.

Smith stretches about 170 pounds across a 6-foot-1 frame. That didn’t stop him from carving up defenses at nearly every point on the field. According to Pro Football Focus, Smith ranked No. 1 in the nation in deep yards (589), No. 1 in the nation in screen yards (304) and No. 5 in the nation in slot yards (863) during his Heisman season in 2020. He did this by blending speed with ridiculously precise route running that bought him even more time and space as defenders struggled to change directions as quickly or efficiently as Smith.  [The Athletic]

How long do we have to wait for the season to start?

A good job

Dave Zangaro | NBC Sports Philadelphia

The stakes probably could't have been higher for Howie Roseman, the Eagles general manager who has gotten most of the blame for the mess the team currently finds itself in. He needed to hit a home run Thursday night and somehow he did. Whether or not the draft — which continues Friday and Saturday — will get him out of the doghouse is anyone's guess. But for one night, he got the monkey off his back. Here's more on Roseman's big night from Dave Zangaro:

With those three players off the board, the other top option for the Eagles was Smith and they recognized that he wasn’t going to get past the Giants at No. 11. So the Eagles pulled off a trade with their most hated rival, the Cowboys, to move in front of them. The Cowboys moved down to 12 and took linebacker Micah Parsons from Penn State.

“Obviously, the more you trade up in the round, the more you’re going to have to give up,” Roseman said. “By the same token, when you trade in the division, you understand that you’re not going to get any values to that as well.”

None of this means that Smith will be a star or will even work out in the NFL. But that’s not the success we’re talking about tonight. We’re talking about how the Eagles successfully maneuvered around in a draft that wasn’t a great situation for them. Howie did a good job here.  [NBCSP]

A do over?

Jeff McLane | Philadelphia Inquirer

The Eagles, as we mentioned earlier, picked a wide receiver in the first round last year and it didn't really work out. That simple fact begs the obvious question — which Jeff McLane asks over at the Inquirer — as to whether this pick happens if not for Roseman's misfire a year ago. Is he trying to make up for his mistake last year? Was receiver really as big a need as other positions on the weak roster, like cornerback or edge rusher?

Reagor may still develop into a quality starter. But there was little evidence of it during his rookie season. And beyond him, the cupboard is bare. And an argument could be made that Reagor was, like Smith, the result of a previous receiver failure: picking JJ Arcega-Whiteside in the second round of the 2019 draft.

The Eagles are a rebuilding team. They have a new coach in Nick Sirianni. And while Smith could be seen as satisfying Sirianni’s appreciation for the position, would the Eagles have been better off addressing one of the positions they’ve long considered premium?

Smith, Roseman appeared to be saying, was worth the do-over. And that could very well end up being the case. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner checks off a lot of boxes, even if there are valid concerns about his slight frame and low weight.  [Inquirer.com]

You salty bro?

Mark Cannizzaro | New York Post

Not feeling good yet? How about some New York Giants misery? The Giants were sitting pretty at 11 before the Eagles swooped in and took their intended target in Smith with the 10th pick, after trading with the Cowboys. And just like how they were feeling after the Eagles "cost them" a playoff berth in Week 17 of the 2020 season, the fanbase in North Jersey and New York seem pretty upset about missing out on The Slim Reaper.

That it was the Eagles who forced the trade and cost the Giants the Heisman Trophy winner, though, was distasteful.

“It’s a business deal, that’s what it is,’’ Gettleman said. “One hand washes the other. Obviously, Dallas was happy with their return. So, they made the trade with Philly and we traded down. Not a big deal.’’

If you believe that then you believe LT’s making a comeback in 2021.

“Look, trades happen a lot,’’ Judge reasoned. “Normally, it doesn’t happen within the division, but my enemy is my friend. They made a move that worked for them and it was a good business move. We’re pleased the way it turned out. We added a good player and some assets for the future.’’

Sure they did, but … those fr&%*!ing hated Eagles, whose tank cost the Giants a playoff berth in January.  [NY Post]

Winners and losers

Cody Benjamin | CBS Sports

Speaking of those Giants, the folks at CBS Sports picked them as losers — mostly because of what the Eagles did.

Loser: The Giants

First New York watched as the Eagles and Cowboys teamed up to allow Philly to jump ahead of the G-Men in the draft order. Then the Eagles took Smith, the presumptive Giants target at No. 11. Then Dave Gettleman added a slew of picks to move all the way down to No. 20. Getting a future first -- and other picks -- was great, but using the 20th pick on Florida wideout Kadarius Toney? Meh. He's another big-play piece for Daniel Jones, which is a plus, but they could've easily waited to capitalize on Day Two WR depth.  [CBS Sports]

Benjamin also singles out Smith's former teammate Hurts, who was his quarterback for one season at Alabama, as a winner after the first round:

Winner: Jalen Hurts

Should Justin Fields have been in play at No. 10 for the Eagles, who moved up two spots with Dallas? Probably. But make no mistake about it: Philly adding Hurts' former Alabama teammate, DeVonta Smith, is big news for the second-year QB. Not only because it signaled yet another fork in the road where the Eagles opted not to add another post-Carson Wentz QB, but primarily because Smith instantly becomes the club's best receiver -- a ferociously competitive new No. 1 that should accelerate Hurts' improvement.  [CBS Sports]
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Smith better than advertised in Roob's 10 observations from rookie camp

Excerpt:

1. All eyes were on Smith, and while we didn’t get to see him run any catch any passes from Jamie Newman, the only quarterback in camp this weekend, he looked smooth, fast and athletic running a few individual drills (despite one early drop). He seemed engaged and energetic and got some 1-on-1 coaching from Sirianni, who said after practice Smith does some things better than he realized: “As advertised, he catches everything. That ball touches his hands, he catches it. He’s really long. You guys saw that. He’s got long arms and he’s got a big catch radius. You just don’t know exactly what (you have). You have a really good idea of what you have, but when you get him on the field then you’re just like, ‘Man, we can do this, we can do that, maybe he can do this (and) this (that) maybe we didn’t think he could do.’ He showed his length, he showed his unbelievable hands and he showed I just thought excellent, excellent ability to change directions at the top of his route, even better than we saw on tape, to be honest.” Going to be fun watching this kid at training camp, when they’re not allowed to kick us out after 20 minutes. 
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Eagles signed first-round WR DeVonta Smith to a four-year, $20.1 million contract.

Despite sharing targets with Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs, Jaylen Waddle and other elite prospects during his time with the Crimson Tide, Smith (6'0/166) walked away as the first wideout to win the Heisman since Desmond Howard in 1991, finishing with the most receiving yards (3,965) and touchdown catches (46) in SEC history. His 235 career receptions, an Alabama school record, include just seven drops on 268 catchable targets and the nation's most receiving yards on screens (304) and downfield opportunities (589) in 2020. Some front offices will chalk up Smith's size (or lack thereof) as an issue at the next level, but he plays bigger than most receivers who have 50 pounds on him. Smith has clear All-Pro potential a la Marvin Harrison as a starting slot receiver in the NFL, though the Eagles will reportedly open with him on the boundary (and Jalen Reagor in the slot) at camp.

SOURCE: Jeremy Fowler on Twitter

Jun 3, 2021, 11:32 AM ET
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Deamon said:
1 month of Cheesesteaks and he'll be a nice 195.
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He's more of an alpha than Reagor, right? Think he'll be the WR1 this year? I presume Dallas will get peppered with targets and I'm not convinced Hurts is a very good passer (though he might be a VG redraft option bc of his running.)

Mike Clay (pg 27) has Smith leading Philly in targets this year, but he also has Ertz included in there. I'm presuming Goedert will get a bump after the inevitable but seems like the Heisman winner should be in line for 120 or more targets this year.

 
BobbyLayne said:
He's more of an alpha than Reagor, right? Think he'll be the WR1 this year? I presume Dallas will get peppered with targets and I'm not convinced Hurts is a very good passer (though he might be a VG redraft option bc of his running.)
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Not a traditional alpha, but yeah, I think Smith will be the technician out there and they will learn to trust him more than anyone else. I actually still like Reagor and think they compliment each other well. Hurts is key obviously, not sure I have a ton of faith as a passer but hopefully he develops. 

 
He just  fell to me at the 1.8 pick in one of my 12 team PPR dynasty (1qb) leagues. Can't believe Carter was drafted before him, but I sure didn't mind! 

 
He's going to be good. I haven't acquired him yet but he's a phenomenal player. If you own him. You hold on and never look back!

 
5 thoughts on Eagles’ rookies: DeVonta Smith has No. 1 wide receiver vibes, Jamie Newman competing against himself
 

DeVonta Smith has No. 1 wide receiver vibes

While he’s only been in Philadelphia for roughly a month, Smith has the feel of a subtle star. He’s got quiet confidence in press conferences, and his veteran teammates have already given him rave reviews as a worker.

Smith knows what it’s like to work on the big stage from his time at Alabama, and he has experience being the most talented player on the field from his Heisman Trophy-winning campaign last season.

Smith is already the Eagles’ top receiver. The group has been largely static this offseason -- outside of Smith’s addition -- and the rest of the bunch is lacking in experience and production. Smith’s slight frame warrants some skepticism, but his work ethic, football character and technical prowess offer the Eagles plenty of reason to feel confident about the young playmaker. So far, he’s been as good as advertised.
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Eagles News: Analytics model is high on DeVonta Smith’s outlook

Excerpt:

2) DeVonta Smith. Passes intended to travel 10-plus air yards were not a source of success for the 2020 Eagles. Per Next Gen Stats, Philadelphia carried a 9:12 touchdown-to-interception ratio on such targets to wide receivers last year, along with a 40.3 reception percentage on those passes (30th in the NFL). Smith’s consistent route running and ability to earn separation forecast to help change that this season. His 4.0 receiving yards per route run over the past two seasons topped the FBS charts. Computer vision shows that, last year, the Heisman Trophy winner had the highest percentage of receptions in which he had more than 3 feet of separation at the time of the catch despite a defender being within 3 feet of him on the path of the route. This carries over into yards after the catch; Smith increased his speed once he had the ball in his hands at the third-highest rate in the FBS in 2020. [BLG Note: Smith is No. 2 only behind Ja’Marr Chase despite being the third WR drafted.]
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Eagles: Expectations for rookie DeVonta Smith keep getting higher

DeVonta Smith may soon need to buy a new trophy case. 

The Eagles rookie wide receiver and Alabama standout has already been awarded the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award, was the first receiver ever named AP national player of the year, and was a unanimous All-American last year.

Last week, he was named the Roy F. Kramer SEC Male Athlete of the Year and on Saturday, he won an ESPY for best men’s college athlete of 2020-21.

It’s not really a surprise that Smith, 22, was awarded yet another prize — he scored 24 touchdowns last season for Alabama, and obliterated the SEC record for career touchdown catches with 46 (the previous mark of 31 was shared by the Tide’s Amari Cooper and Florida’s Chris Doering). 

Smith also hauled in 117 catches and racked up 1,856 yards last season on the way to his second National Championship.

“If there’s an award/trophy, he’s winning it. If there’s a workout he’s 15 minutes early for it. Earned everything he’s getting and deserves 10x more,” Matt Rhea, the director of sport science at Alabama, wrote on Twitter. 

Despite his size (a few cheesesteaks will help), expectations are sky high for Smith, whom the Eagles traded up for to select with the 10th pick in this year’s NFL draft. Training camp begins July 27, and needless to say all eyes will be on the young receiver.

“In 50 years, I’ve seen a lot of wide receivers and I’ve seen great ones like Harold Carmichael, who’s going into the Hall of Fame, and my partner in the booth, Mike Quick, who went to five Pro Bowls. So I’ve seen great receivers,” Eagles announcer Merrill Reese said on a recent episode of the Eagle Eye podcast. “But I’ve never seen a receiver that makes my jaw drop the way that he does.

“This guy is blazingly fast and looks like he has springs on the bottom of his shoes the way he goes up,” Reese said of Smith. “And he may be 6-1½ but he has catch radius of somebody 6-4.” 

NFL Network analytics expert Cynthia Frelund also has high expectations for Smith, predicting he will be one of the most productive rookie receivers this season: His 4.0 receiving yards per route run over the past two seasons topped the FBS charts.

Computer vision shows that last year, the Heisman Trophy winner had the highest percentage of receptions in which he had more than 3 feet of separation at the time of the catch despite a defender being within 3 feet of him on the path of the route. 

This carries over into yards after the catch; Smith increased his speed once he had the ball in his hands at the third-highest rate in the FBS in 2020.

New Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said he was impressed by Smith during the team’s OTA practices back in May. “As advertised, he catches everything,” Sirianni said. “That ball touches his hands, he catches it. He’s really long. I think you guys saw that, right? He’s got long arms, and he’s got a big catch radius.

“He showed his unbelievable hands, and he showed — I just thought he showed excellent, excellent ability to change directions at the top of the route,” Sirianni added. “Even better than what I saw on tape, to be 100% honest with you.” 

Smith should also benefit from being reunited with former Alabama teammate Jalen Hurts, who will be the Eagles starting quarterback after the team shipped Carson Wentz away to Indianapolis. 

While in Alabama last month hosting a youth football camp, clips of Hurts tossing some long bombs to Smith went viral, a potential glimpse at what Eagles fans can expect this season.
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