Bama WR DeVonta Smith’s official weigh in
This morning the NFL released the height and weights from player’s medical checks in Indianapolis for the 2021 NFL Draft. Of those announced was highly controversial Alabama WR DeVonta Smith. Mr. “I am 170 pounds” weighed in at 166 pounds officially and stood six feet tall.
Many knew the weight concern going in, but this solidifies just how much risk exists. Smith’s slim frame is almost unprecedented in NFL history. There have been very skinny wide receivers, but they have all hovered over 170-175 pounds. Players like Cole Beasley, Dede Westbrook, and others never were under 170 pounds.
Sure there are players under 170, for example, DeSean Jackson. Jackson weighed in at 169 during his NFL Combine, but D-Jax is also three inches shorter than Smith. In this draft, Louisville’s Tutu Atwell is a ridiculous 149 pounds but is just 5’8. DeVonta Smith has talent, but his durability is going to be a big issue.
There are big questions like, how will he handle press off the line from corners compared to soft coverages in college? Will he survive being hit on a crossing route by someone like Jamal Adams or Derwin James? Things like that are what scares a lot of people about taking the Bama receiver. The Eagles are in the mix for Smith but also his teammate Jaylen Waddle.
Philly will be far better off taking the safer pick in Waddle. Smith has the potential to be one of the league’s best, but there are far too many concerns to select him over the other elite talent available at 12. The 2021 NFL Draft is just eight days away, starting April 29th.
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Mandatory Credit: USA Today Sports
[…] the second-best receiver in this draft, with his teammate DeVonta Smith falling down draft boards due to his tiny frame. In six appearances for the Crimson Tide, Waddle had 591 yards receiving and four […]