2021 NFL Draft: Las Vegas Raiders land defensive star in full first-round mock
6. Philadelphia Eagles – WR DeVonta Smith, Alabama
Last season, Greg Ward led the Eagles in receptions, and Travis Fulgham led the team in receiving yards. Neither are number one level receivers, so if Philly is going to trade Carson Wentz and put the offense in Jalen Hurts’ hands, they need to add weapons. Florida’s Kyle Pitts is also a serious option here with Zach Ertz in the last year of his contract, but we decided to take the reigning Heisman Trophy winner.
DeVonta Smith is a bit undersized but is a great route runner with sticky hands and can make plays after the catch. Hurts only completed 52% of his passes in the games he played, so giving him someone like Smith who can get open quickly and handle YAC himself would really help.
Philly did take Jalen Reagor in the first round last year, so perhaps he and Smith could establish a lovely duo for years to come.
7. Detroit Lions – WR Jaylen Waddle, Alabama
The Lions’ typical pick in most mock drafts has been Micah Parsons of Penn State; however, that might be too presumptuous. If you looked at new GM Brad Holmes’s track record when he ran scouting with the Rams, the off-ball linebacker was not a position they sought early in the draft.
Now the Rams gave away many first-round picks, too, which has to be factored in, but I still don’t think they’ll look at LB. John Dorsey is also not someone who has emphasized that position.
Now for their offense, they traded for Jared Goff but currently have five wide receivers about to hit free agency. And with their salary cap not being in a great spot, the draft is a great way to replenish that unit.
Going into 2020, Jaylen Waddle was the Alabama receiver everyone imagined being drafted first. An explosive playmaker who stretches the defense and has a running back-like mentality after the catch could really help Detroit.