NFL Draft 2021: Eagles hint they could maybe per chance no longer enjoy note to this criticism when evaluating DeVonta Smith

The Philadelphia Eagles haven’t made the actual early-round picks on wide receivers over the closing two years, whether or no longer hurt or wretched performance played a element of their draft screw ups is up for debate. The third time would possibly maybe per chance very nicely be the charm for long-established manager Howie Roseman, because the Eagles are in a role to land indubitably one of many tip three wideouts on this year’s class. 

DeVonta Smith is indubitably one of many wide receivers in play for the Eagles, whether or no longer they alternate as a lot as make a range him or if he slides to No. 12 because of his listed weight (166). The Eagles by no manner mentioned Smith in explicit when discussing their job of evaluation of wide receivers, but it change into as soon as sure who Roseman change into as soon as referring to when asked earlier this week about a receiver who would possibly maybe per chance very nicely be an outlier in the case of high, weight, or mosey.

“Stunning players attain in all sizes and styles,” Roseman acknowledged on a convention name earlier this week. “And so we’re no longer going to discriminate in step with any of those issues.” 

No matter Smith’s measurement, the Heisman Trophy winner is a indubitably a lock to head in the tip-15 of this draft. Smith is indubitably one of many tip three receivers on this draft class, subsequent to Ja’Marr Fling and Alabama teammate Jaylen Stir. He recorded 117 catches for 1,856 yards and 23 touchdowns in 13 games for the Crimson Tide closing season, averaging 15.9 yards per take. Now not simplest did Smith snarl the most receiving yards and touchdown catches in SEC historical previous, he had correct seven drops on 268 catchable targets in his profession. 

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Whereas Smith’s weight causes anxiety about his durability, Eagles head coach Slash Sirianni has an intensive background with wide receivers. Sirianni also did no longer mention Smith, but it change into as soon as sure who he change into as soon as talking about when how he wished to spend his wideouts. The Eagles coach has stale plenty of sorts of receivers to play the “X” and Z,” which inserts Smith’s profile. 

“I’ve had plenty of X’s. I’ve had T.Y. Hilton who change into as soon as 5-foot-9, 180 pounds. He played X for us. I’ve had Dwayne Bowe who change into as soon as 6-2, 220 pounds. He played X for us. I had Keenan Allen who change into as soon as 6-3, 200,” Sirianni acknowledged. “All these guys that I am announcing, TY change into as soon as rapidly; Keenan change into as soon as fast, no longer rapidly; Dwayne Bowe change into as soon as unheard of. They all played plenty of.

“So it be correct a matter of can that man manufacture what you’ll need, that person to manufacture on the outside. In actuality while you happen to stammer X, it be can he narrate one-on-one match-united statesconsistently. … He’s better because it be one-on-one available, and that man appears to be like to be to be like plenty of all across the league.”

The Eagles will discover just a few systems to spend Smith and maximize his unfamiliar skills, correct cherish how they belief to spend 2020 first-round enjoy Jalen Reagor. Philadelphia is no longer concerned over the one “red flag” concerning the most realistic receiver on this draft class.