2021 NFL Draft: Three rookie matchups on the schedule to watch in 2021
By Kyle Edmond
Patrick Surtain II v. DeVonta Smith (Denver Broncos v. Philadelphia Eagles)
While DeVonta Smith won the Heisman Trophy, he wasn’t the first wide receiver off the board. In fact, he wasn’t even the first Alabama wide receiver off the board. That distinction belongs to Jaylen Waddle, but the Miami Dolphins aren’t set to face the Denver Broncos this year. The Philadelphia Eagles, on the other hand, will.
The reason that the Denver Broncos are important is that they took one of the first cornerbacks in the 2021 NFL Draft in Patrick Surtain II, who just happened to go to Alabama as well. College teammates facing each other is always fun, especially when they will face each other directly on the field. This one carries additional weight as well.
Both Surtain and Smith were first-round picks that brought with them some questions. The Broncos opted for Surtain despite some believing they should use the pick on a quarterback. As for Smith, he’s been docked for being too small for the NFL, but that didn’t stop the Eagles from moving up to snag him.
Playing in opposing conferences, these two players most likely won’t face very often in their professional careers, at least not when they are on their respective teams. However, they do get to do just that in their first season in the NFL.