2021 NFL Draft: Chicago Bears trade up for QB in two-round mock draft

In recent years, the big “excuse” for the New England Patriots’ lack of offensive firepower was their lack of weapons and receivers. The team really hasn’t addressed the need a whole lot, aside from a first-round pick in 2019 on N’Keal Harry who hasn’t panned out quite yet.

The new-look Patriots may not want to throw the ball enough to invest this much capital in a wide receiver, but DeVonta Smith may just be too good to pass up. Maybe with a guy like Smith, the offense would be a little more balanced and dynamic, regardless of who is at quarterback going forward.

Smith is another receiver that doesn’t stand out in any particular area but thrives in everything you look for in a successful pass catcher. He’s not the biggest body but has the toughness to make contested catches. He’s not the fastest player on the field but can still beat the defense deep.

Smith is a very smooth operator. While Jerry Jeudy last year was heralded for his quick and sudden route running, Smith gets in and out of his breaks with ease. His routes may not create as much separation, but he understands leverage and knows where he needs to get to make a play on the ball.

At Alabama, Smith always seems to be scoring touchdowns. Whether it is a deep bomb, an intermediate pass that he takes the distance, or a red zone snag, DeVonta Smith seems to have a nose for the end zone.

Some of the receivers that the Patriots currently have on the roster have played well at times, but a player like Smith blows them out of the water. Julian Edelman isn’t getting any younger as well, so Smith could be the go-to guy for the Patriots for years to come.