The 2021 NFL Draft is exactly one week away and there’s already been a ton of talk about who’s getting drafted where and what each team needs.
One of the players projected to be taken in the first round is Alabama Crimson Tide WR DeVonta Smith. He was a force over his four seasons with Alabama, finishing with 3,965 receiving yards and 46 touchdowns on 235 receptions. Smith’s been on multiple All-SEC teams and was the 2020 CFP National Championship Offensive MVP after helping the Crimson Tide win their second title since he arrived at the school in 2017. He’s also favored to be the second wide receiver off the board at the draft
Now, just one question remains: which team will take Smith at the 2021 NFL Draft?
According to Bovada, odds point to Smith ending up with either the Detroit Lions or New York Giants at +400.
The Lions hold the No. 7 pick at the 2021 NFL Draft and while rumors indicate that teams have been calling them for a possible trade, they could wind up keeping the pick and using it on Smith. After all, the Lions don’t have a lot of quality pass-catchers. Since Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones Jr. left in free agency, the team’s receiving core is basically just Tyrell Williams and Breshad Perriman. It’s safe to say Smith could help.
The Giants could also nab the Alabama wide receiver at No. 11. The team already has Golladay, Darius Slayton and Sterling Shepard, but they’re also in the position to draft the best player available. If they think that’s Smith and they want to pair him with Daniel Jones, the Giants’ offense could look scary for years to come.
2021 NFL Draft Odds: Who Will Select WR DeVonta Smith?
Odds via Bovada as of Thursday, April 22
- Detroit Lions (+400)
- New York Giants (+400)
- Philadelphia Eagles (+425)
- Miami Dolphins (+550)
- Los Angeles Chargers (+650)
- New England Patriots (+850)
- Carolina Panthers (+1200)
Full odds list available at Bovada.lv.
Eagles Could Draft Smith
At +425 odds, the Philadelphia Eagles are one of the more likely teams to leave the 2021 NFL Draft with DeVonta Smith. The team will be on the clock with the No. 12 pick and is in dire need of pass-catching help. In the 2020 NFL season, Philadelphia averaged 207.9 passing yards per game (28th) on a league-worst 55.8 completion percentage.
While other factors like a lackluster offensive line and poor play-calling should be taken into account, the Eagles could use a playmaking receiver like Smith. He’d be an improvement over their current core of Travis Fulgham and Jalen Reagor, that’s for sure.
2021 NFL Draft Rumors: Dolphins Looking for Wide Receiver
On paper, it may not seem like the Miami Dolphins (+550) need another wide receiver to pair with QB Tua Tagovailoa. After all, they already had DeVante Parker and just signed Will Fuller V this offseason. However, why stop at two talented pass-catchers when you could have three?
Fuller and Parker are talented in their own right, but some people question whether or not they can have long-term success. Fuller is great, but his injury history has cost him 25 games over the last four seasons. On the other hand, Parker finally broke out in 2019, however, his stats took a hit last season. If he can bounce back, that’s great, but there’s no guarantee. That’s why it might be best for the Dolphins to take Smith at No. 6 to improve the team’s offense and give them another receiving option in case Fuller or Parker get injured or regress.
