Philadelphia Eagles 7-round 2021 NFL mock draft: Solving need for speed

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Philadelphia Eagles finally land a true No. 1 wide receiver with the selection of DeVonta Smith in this mock draft (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

Round 1, 6th Overall

Scouting Report. Devonta Smith. 1. player. 829. Pick Analysis. WR. Alabama

Before the season, it was assumed that the race for WR1 in the 2021 NFL Draft class would be between Ja’Marr Chase and Jaylen Waddle. However, with Chase opting out of the season before it even began and Waddle suffering a season-ending injury, all eyes have shifted to DeVonta Smith.

Smith has been must-see TV all year long as he has torched everybody that has had the unfortunate task of lining up across from him. Through just nine games in 2020, Smith has set career marks in receptions (80), yards (1,305), and touchdowns (15) and has launched himself into that top-10 pick discussion.

The Philadelphia Eagles are as desperate for help at wide receiver as any team in the league. They infamously drafted JJ Arcega-Whiteside over the likes of D.K. Metcalf, Diontae Johnson, and Terry McLaurin back in 2019 and their selection of Jalen Reagor before Justin Jefferson and Tee Higgins in 2020 is looking pretty rough as well.

It’s obviously a little early to tell if Reagor was as big a botch as JJAW but their struggles only help to stress the importance of not missing out on one of the can’t-miss wide receivers in the 2021 NFL Draft class and Devonta Smith is exactly that. He would finally give the Eagles somebody they can consistently separate and should provide a homerun threat for whoever the starting quarterback will be next season.

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