Last year’s Heisman Trophy winner has found a new home. The Eagles have selected Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith with the No. 10 pick in the 2021 NFL draft.
Smith was the third receiver taken in the first round, following Ja’Marr Chase and Jaylen Waddle. The dynamic playmaker put together a historic senior season in Tuscaloosa, leading the country in catches (117), receiving yards (1,856) and receiving touchdowns (23) to become the first wide receiver in 29 years to win the Heisman Trophy.
Smith saved his best for last, hauling in 12 catches for 215 yards and three touchdowns against Ohio State in the national championship game, which Alabama won, 52-24.
For his career, Smith totaled nearly 4,000 receiving yards and 48 total touchdowns. He burst onto the scene as a freshman in 2017 when he caught the game-winning touchdown pass in overtime of Alabama’s national championship game win over Georgia.
The Eagles traded up to the No. 10 slot to acquire Smith on Thursday. They sent Dallas the No. 12 and No. 84 picks in the 2021 draft in order to move up two slots.
Despite his record-breaking season, questions about Smith’s ability to play at the next level lingered during the pre-draft process, largely due to his small frame. Smith measured at 6’1″ and 170 pounds, though Alabama coach Nick Saban was adamant that Smith’s small stature will not prevent him from being successful in the NFL.
“Tell me how many receivers are tougher than he is—that block better, that play more physical than he does—so I think maybe there’s a time when you say ‘This guy really overcomes the fact that he’s not the biggest guy in the world and he really plays this game really, really well,'” Saban said in March. “I don’t think anybody can argue that fact.”
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