By Skip Charles in Vegas
The NFL draft is in eight nights, April 29 in Cleveland.
And unless they make another trade, the Eagles will pick at 12.
However, the over/under for Bama burner Devonta Smith’s draft position at BetMGM is set at 11.5.
Those who watched Smith become the best player in college football at Alabama could be tempted by the under.
NFL teams might, too. The standards on ideal size for players at all positions are changing. Receiver Marquise Brown was a first-round pick in 2019 after weighing 166 pounds at the NFL scouting combine, though he was picked 25th, not in the top 11. If a team figures it can get anywhere near the impact from Smith that he gave to Alabama, he’ll be worth a premium pick.
For many whose focus is the NFL, a 170-pound receiver going 11th or better seems odd. There will be NFL teams that agree with that sentiment. Durability and Smith’s ability to get off the line will be questioned, fair or not.
If Smith was 215 pounds, he’d smash a draft prop of 11.5. He might be the first non-quarterback off the board. There’s simply no question about his ability. Either the team that drafts Smith will laugh along with Smith over concerns about his size as he becomes one of the NFL’s best playmakers, or teams will use Smith as a cautionary tale for years to come.
