NFL Draft: Pro comparisons for the top 32 prospects in 2021

NFL Draft 2021 Pro Comparisons: DeVonta Smith → Reggie Wayne

DeVonta Smith is coming off of one of the most impressive seasons by a wide receiver in college football history. During his final year at Alabama, Smith hauled in 117 passes for 1,856 yards and 23 touchdowns. His superb production resulted in him becoming the first wide receiver to win the Heisman Trophy since Desmond Howard back in 1991.

Now, Smith will take his talents to the NFL and he’ll have to prove that his slender frame (6-foot-1, 175 pounds) can withstand the damage inflicted by defenders at the pro level. He did spend his college career in the SEC, however, so he has already taken plenty of hits from guys who went on to earn a spot in the NFL.

Is the massive amount of success Smith experienced during his 2020 season at Alabama a preview of what’s to come for his career as a pro?

Why he compares to Reggie Wayne:

Even though he was selected in the first round of the 2001 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts after a successful college career at Miami, it took a little while for Reggie Wayne to establish himself as one of the top receivers in the league. But once he got going, defenses had a lot of trouble containing him.

Wayne was a master at creating separation during his time in the league, which allowed him to put up some very impressive numbers. This is a trait of Smith’s that he displayed out on the field many times during his tenure at Alabama and it’s something that could lead to him having a successful career in the NFL.