DeVonta Smith 2021 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Name: DeVonta Smith

Position: WR

College: Alabama

Height: 6’0 1/4"

Weight: 170 lbs (pro day)

Overall Rank: No. 9 overall

Position Rank: WR2

Strengths: The best hands in the draft belong to DeVonta Smith. He has a huge catch radius on a smaller wide receiver frame thanks to his sticky hands, concentration and body control. He’s an elite route-runner with balance, agility and poise. He can throttle down and accelerate easily; showing an ability to beat man coverage despite lacking top-end speed or size. He’s a technician as a route-runner and knows how to uncover himself to get open even when the defense is stacked against him. Smith tracks the ball well, is tough at the catch point, and sells out to make difficult grabs.

Weaknesses: Smith’s lean frame would make him the lightest receiver drafted in the first round since Marquise Brown (2019) and the second-lightest drafted in the first two rounds including Brown and Desean Jackson. He has a high-cut frame with thin legs. Smith doesn’t have elite twitch or burst and is instead a long-strider.

What I Love: Smith plays with an infectious love of the game. A returning senior in 2020, he played on fire as the go-to receiver at Alabama. His hands and route-running are exceptional, but his passion stands out.

NFL Comparison: Marvin Harrison

Grade: 93/100

Position Specific Traits:
(key: +, ++, +++ positive scale | -, - -, - - - negative scale)

Agility: ++
Big Plays: ++
Hands: +++
Jumping: +
Route-Running: ++
Speed: ++
Strength: -