Grading the Eagles trade with Dallas and the selection of WR DeVonta Smith

On a day where Eagles fans woke up and collectively thought “please don’t f*** this up, Howie” the team made an unexpected trade with a division rival, causing another division rival severe distress in the process. We can all recall the sheer resentment we had after the Eagles GM traded the #6 pick for #12 and a 2022 first-round pick. If you don’t remember, you can revisit my thoughts below:

pic.twitter.com/1FCXZL8BAu

— Victor Williams (@ThePhillyPod) March 26, 2021

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After both Ja’Marr Chase and Kyle Pitts were off the board prior to the #6 pick that the Eagles originally held, Howie Roseman was already looking pretty smart for trading back last month.

In addition to that, the Eagles only had to part with the 3rd-round pick that they received in the Carson Wentz trade to move ahead of the Giants (who were surely taking Smith at #11). Some may ask why Dallas would do a deal with the devil and help out their long-tenured NFC East rivals. The way I see it, the Cowboys were already fixated on Micah Parsons after the retirement of Sean Lee and were going to select him at #10 overall until the Eagles made the call.

The Cowboys trade the No. 10 pick to the @Eagles, who select: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama@DeVontaSmith_6 | @AlabamaFTBL

📺: 2021 #NFLDraft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/Jyfhk6hlmk

— NFL (@NFL) April 30, 2021

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Dallas figured that DeVonta Smith was going to be in the division regardless, so securing additional draft compensation to move back and still get their anchor on defense was a win-win situation for them. And let’s face it, I’m sure Dallas would rather deal with Smith on the Eagles in their current state instead of adding him to the mix of Kenny Golladay, Darius Slayton, and Sterling Shepard over in New York.

With the Heisman Trophy winner off the board, the Giants subsequently traded out of their pick since their prized prospect was no longer available. After moving back to #20 overall, New York settled for Florida product Kadarius Toney, who is dynamic in his own right but was a late first/early second-round talent at best. Screwing the Giants in the draft after keeping them out of the playoffs last season has been nothing short of pure entertainment.

#Giants fans did not take the DeVonta Smith news very well…..#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/qAP2oFYXY4

— EROCK (@Eric_Emanuele) April 30, 2021

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This is the second consecutive year that the Eagles have selected a WR in the first round, but Smith was too good to pass up on. The Eagles haven’t had a 1,000+ yard WR since Jeremy Maclin in 2014 and Smith gives them the true dynamic No. 1 receiver that they’ve been lacking. Smith’s 166-pound frame raised some concerns throughout the process, but when you draw comparisons to Marvin Harrison it’s difficult to ignore.

DeVonta Smith spoke recently on the possibility of playing with Jalen Hurts again, and now he’s been afforded that chance. The “Slim Reaper” dominated the SEC over the last 3 seasons:

• 227 receptions
• 3,835 yards
• 43 TDs
• 16.9 yards/catch

Smith is the first Alabama player to be drafted by the Eagles since 2002.

In summation, the Eagles essentially traded a 2021 3rd-round pick for a first-round pick next year by trading back (then back up again) and still got their WR1 for Jalen Hurts. They’ve shown a sign of commitment to Hurts by bringing in one of his Alabama weapons and the Eagles still hold four picks in the first two rounds of next year’s draft. I couldn’t have drawn up a better first day of the draft myself, a much-needed encouraging step for the franchise.

For a few short moments, the Cowboys were real ones.

Day 1 Grade: A+

Holy hell it wasn’t a dream. DeVonta Smith is an Eagle. pic.twitter.com/zfAd6qJ4xw

— Victor Williams (@ThePhillyPod) April 30, 2021

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