Eagles draft dynamic wide receiver Ainias Smith as Howie focuses on offensive weapons

The Eagles liked the fifth round better than the fourth.

With the 152nd pick in the fifth round, they drafted Ainias Smith, a slot wide receiver out of Texas A&M. His experience playing wide receiver, running back, and punt returner for the Aggies adds another dynamic playmaker to this offense.

WR Ainias Smith – Round 5, Pick 152

You ready to fly, @ainias_smith?@DietzandWatson | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/xNLjKq3dzu

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) April 27, 2024

Ainias Smith took 2,100 collegiate snaps at all three positions and added an element of each one to his game as a wide receiver. Typically an underneath with terrific short-area quickness, Smith fits what the Eagles are looking for in a slot wide receiver.

Ainias Smith developed a variety of releases to get his routes going, and his rapid change of direction made him a difficult man coverage assignment. He became the only player in SEC history to have 2,000 receiving yards, 250 rushing yards, 250 kick return yards, and 250 punt return yards.

Given his experience as a running back, Ainias Smith is a home run threat anytime he gets the ball in space. Last season, he saw 78 targets and tallied 53 receptions for 795 yards and two touchdowns with only one drop.

The five-foot-ten receiver consistently created separation against Alabama and their stacked cornerback room despite some terrible throws.  

Ainias Smith won’t be a contested catch king at the next level, but his skill set fits perfectly with how AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith stretch the field. With Will Shipley drafted in the fourth round, it’s clear Howie is focusing on dynamic offensive players to fit Kellen Moore’s scheme.