2021 NFL Mock Draft: Dolphins grab DeVonta Smith at 3, Mac Jones goes to Washington
By Randy Gurzi
![Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) catches a touchdown pass in front of The Citadel defensive back Ronald Peterkin (33) during Alabama's 50-17 win over The Citadel in Bryant-Denny Stadium, Nov. 17, 2018. [Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.]Alabama Defeats The Citadel](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2F975c1a95603477070f4ac4224b9c024edc0127dcbd59673b97301e172d8b5525.jpg "Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) catches a touchdown pass in front of The Citadel defensive back Ronald Peterkin (33) during Alabama's 50-17 win over The Citadel in Bryant-Denny Stadium, Nov. 17, 2018. [Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.]Alabama Defeats The Citadel")
Scouting Report. CB. 6. player. 54. Pick Analysis. Alabama. Patrick Surtain II
There are going to be a lot of calls for the Philadelphia Eagles to take a wide receiver here. There will also be a lot of calls for a quarterback after the debacle that was the Carson Wentz and Jalen Hurts saga, but with Lawrence, Fields, and Wilson off the board, it would be best to go elsewhere.
While wideout makes a lot of sense, the Eagles did just add Jalen Reagor with their first-round pick a season ago, so that might wait until at least Round 2. Instead, they use this pick to shore up another issue of theirs, the secondary. Philly improved in their pass coverage from 2019 after adding Darius Slay but the 30-year old cornerback isn’t enough to shut down opposing teams.
For that reason, the Eagles pick up another solid corner here in Patrick Surtain II. The son of a former NFL Pro Bowler, Surtain was a stud for the Alabama Crimson Tide and should have no problem becoming just as impressive of a pro athlete.
He has the size and athleticism to match up with any wideout in the NFL and held his own against some of the biggest names in college football over the past three seasons. He should help the Eagles defense improve dramatically, now they just have to figure out what to do under center and they should be fine.