Latest CBS mock draft has Alabama receiver falling to the Eagles

The 2021 NFL Draft is just two weeks away and after trading back to the #12 pick, the Eagles’ chances of snagging a dynamic weapon became slimmer. Ja’Marr Chase and Kyle Pitts are likely out of reach, but some believe that the team will still be able to get a top receiver in the draft.

In the latest mock draft by Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, he has the Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith falling to the Eagles at #12 overall:

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Selecting Smith here at #12 would be tremendous value. The Eagles haven’t had a 1,000+ yard WR since Jeremy Maclin in 2014 and they tried to fix that problem with Jalen Reagor in last year’s draft. While Reagor did show some promise, he isn’t the polished product that Smith is.

Smith was already a projected first-round talent before returning to Alabama for his senior season. After leading Alabama in yards and TDs in 2020, he took an even bigger leap this season:

• 105 receptions
• 1,641 yards
• 15.6 yards/catch
• 20 TDs

Smith’s measurables are a bit worrisome at just 6’1″, 170 lbs; he’ll need to add some weight to sustain success at the pro level. It doesn’t help that he didn’t participate in any on-field drills at Alabama’s Pro Day. You can’t argue against his YAC ability and explosiveness out of cuts, however, and having a dynamic threat like him on the field will only benefit Reagor as well.

The Eagles haven’t selected a player from Alabama in 19 years, last taking WR Freddie Milons in the 5th-round of the 2002 draft. They have a good chance of changing that in this upcoming draft as 3 WRs were taken before the #12 pick just once since 2005. (2017: Corey Davis, Mike Williams, John Ross).

OH MY DEVONTA SMITH 🤯

That makes THREE TOUCHDOWNS for the Heisman winner 🔥 pic.twitter.com/u9qpKEKnTC

— ESPN (@espn) January 12, 2021

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Mandatory Credit: George Walker | Icon Sportswire via AP Images