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2021 NFL Draft Scouting Report: WR DeVonta Smith


Positional ranking: #1

Big Board ranking: #2

 

Overview

Position: WR

College: Alabama

Class: Senior

Age: 22

 

Measurables

Height: 6’0 1/4”

Weight: 166 lbs.

Arm length: N/A

Hand size: N/A

 

Athletic testing

40-yard dash: N/A

Vertical jump: N/A

Broad jump: N/A

Bench press: N/A

3-cone drill: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

 

Strengths

Phenomenal ball skills and a natural hands catcher. Unbelievable hand-eye coordination. Can run and separate on any route in the book. Innate feel for spacing and coverage. Very smart. Makes catches in coverage look routine. Unaffected by traffic. Consistently works back to the football. Shows zero fears going over the middle. Great patience around the line of scrimmage. Uses subtle movements to create space as a route runner. Foot quickness allows him to create easy separation at the top of routes. Gets open deep on double moves. Impressive catch radius. Snatches balls away from his frame. Explosive leaper that times his jumps. Strong hands to come down with jump balls. Aware of the boundary to get feet down. Breakaway speed in the open field. Glides in space. Has the burst/acceleration to capture the corner. Plays with very impressive toughness and physicality for his size. Willing and effective blocker. Extremely humble and hard-working. Can play any receiver spot. Shredded top defenses and cornerbacks throughout his career. Clutch performer in championship games. Focal point of an offense with four first-round picks at wide receiver.

 

Weaknesses

Thin overall frame. Could struggle more versus the strength of NFL cornerbacks along the boundary.

 

NFL comparison

Marvin Harrison

 

Conclusion

Overall, Smith is an All-Pro caliber receiver that blends elite natural ability and plus athleticism with rare football intelligence and unteachable work ethic. In my opinion, Smith would have been worth a top-ten pick in 2020 and only boosted his stock even further to be worthy of a top-three selection following a Heisman campaign.

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