NFL mock draft 2021: Four quarterbacks in the top five, Watson stays put
7. player. Pick Analysis. Wide Receiver. Alabama. DeVonta Smith. 50. Scouting Report
Similar to Ja’Marr Chase, DeVonta Smith just finds a way to produce. After Chase had his crazy 2019 season, Smith decided to one-up him in 2020. Smith racked up 1,862 yards and 24 touchdowns on his way to a Heisman Trophy and a National Championship.
Like Chase, Smith doesn’t jump out at you with any particular area of his game. He isn’t a huge target, he doesn’t have crazy blinding speed and he doesn’t play as physical as Chase, but he always finds a way to get open and get into the end zone.
Smith is a smooth and smart route runner. He does a great job of understanding how to beat his opponent on every snap and has the athleticism to take advantage. He is a smooth operator who can thrive in any offense or role.
With the ball in his hands, Smith is a very shifty runner. He excels as a return man and is always a threat to score whenever he touches the ball. He is fast enough to run by defenders, whether it is with the ball or on a deep route.
Smith has very impressive hands, making a ton of contested and spectacular catches. In the red zone, he does a great job of making a ball on the ball and bringing it down for the score. It isn’t always the flashiest thing, but Smith finds his way open and finds his way to the end zone.
With Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones Jr. both set to hit free agency, the Detroit Lions find wide receiver atop their list of needs heading into this 2021 NFL mock draft. With former Los Angeles Ram and first-overall pick, Jared Goff, coming over to lead the way, Detroit needs to give him a chance to succeed.
Bringing in a dominant player like DeVonta Smith should help out the Lions’ offense immensely. Goff had a few solid targets in LA and will need guys like T.J. Hockenson, Golladay and Smith if the team wants to improve in 2021.