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")
7. 50. LSU. Pick Analysis. WR. Ja'Marr Chase. player. Scouting Report
At No. 7 in this 2021 NFL mock draft, the Detroit Lions might have caught a break. With the leap from Alabama wideout DeVonta Smith, that means Ja’Marr Chase from LSU is still on the board. The reason Smith leapfrogged Chase (and Jaylen Waddle) is the season he had which led to the Heisman win, but it’s not as if Chase isn’t an elite wideout worthy of coming off the board early — because he is.
Chase went off with Joe Burrow in 2019 with 84 receptions for 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns, which was done while future first-round pick (and rookie phenom) Justin Jefferson was on the roster as well. The year off shouldn’t hurt his chances of landing in the top-10 and Detroit would be more than happy to land him here.
The Lions will be one of many teams looking for a new head coach after pulling the plug on the Matt Patricia experiment and whoever takes over full-time will also be looking to add some more explosive, young options.
Marvin Jones had a big season and Kenny Golladay does have some big-play ability but Jones will be over 30 and Golladay spent much of the 2020 season injured. That’s why it would make sense for them to land someone like Chase who can open up their entire offense.