2021 NFL Draft: 5 Best DeVonta Smith landing spots and fits
DeVonta Smith will be a hot commodity in the 2021 NFL Draft but where would he best fit?
As the Alabama Crimson Tide play in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, the most accomplished wide receiver in program history will be on the field for them. For a school that’s sent the likes of Amari Cooper, Julio Jones and many others to the NFL, that’s saying something. But that’s how good DeVonta Smith has been throughout his career.
Smith’s final act in Tuscaloosa was by far his best though. En route to being the first wide receiver to winning the Heisman Trophy in nearly 30 years, he caught 105 passes for 1,641 yards and 20 touchdowns. And after the National Championship Game, his next stop will be the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Though he’s diminutive in size by some standards at 6-1, 175 pounds, Smith’s route-running, hands and athleticism make him one of the best wide receivers in the 2021 NFL Draft. So the next question becomes where in the NFL he could land. That’s what we’re exploring here, looking at the five best (realistic) fits and landing spots for DeVonta Smith in April’s draft.
DeVonta Smith 2021 NFL Draft landing spot No. 5: New York Jets
All signs point to the New York Jets using the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft on a quarterback. With Adam Gase now gone, it has been assumed that they will also move on from Sam Darnold and hit the reset button hard for the franchise. But the good news for the Jets is that they have another first-round pick.
Thanks to the Jamal Adams trade, the Jets have the Seahawks’ first-rounder in the upcoming draft. And after Seattle’s loss to the Rams in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs, that pick now falls into the top 24, which could put them in range to add DeVonta Smith if he should fall down the board a bit.
Smith would be a huge addition for the Jets and whoever is playing quarterback for them in the 2021 season. New York has many issues but one of the most pressing has been an offense devoid of consistent weapons. They have hope for Denzel Mims after a rookie season with flashes but they need much more.
While you could argue that Smith is somewhat redundant of Jamison Crowder, the Heisman winner is both more dynamic and younger. Adding him to the mix would help the offense a tremendous amount and allow the Jets to truly take a step forward.