NFL mock draft 2021: Justin Fields, Trey Lance help make history

The Lions traded Matthew Stafford this offseason which netted them Jared Goff and two future first-round picks.  They are certainly still in the market for a quarterback, but with Fields and Lance off the board, I think they go in a different direction.

With Kenny Golladay leaving via free agency this offseason the Lions need a new number one receiver and who better to fill that role than Heisman Trophy winner.

DeVonta Smith had the best season for a wide receiver in the history of college football putting up 117 catches for 1,856 yards and 23 touchdowns, winning the Heisman and the national championship.

While Smith is fast, he isn’t freakishly athletic or anything, however, he wins because his route running is truly special and he is very sure-handed.  He simply can get open at any level of the field.

Last year, according to PFF he was efficient at every level of the field (20+ yds, 10-19 yds, 0-9 yds, and behind the line of scrimmage) as he received a grade of 94+ plus at each level, which is unheard of.

The biggest concern with Smith is his lack of size at just 170 pounds.  It’s not a big enough concern to not take him in the top 10, but it’s enough to warrant putting Chase ahead of him.