By Michael Bennett
CBS Sports recently ranked the NFL’s rookie receivers, and Eagles top pick DeVonta Smith landed as the No. 4 ranked pass catcher on the list.
4. Devonta Smith, Eagles
While the only clear knock on Smith was his strange, ultra-lanky body type, he has super-twitchy movements after the catch.
But that’s it on the negative side.
Everything else he was capable of on the football field was spectacular.
Releases off the line, effortless separation, a giant catch radius, awesome flexibility to turn the corner like Gumby, and deceptive downfield speed.
Look out for him and 2020 first-round pick Jalen Reagor as a young, wildly underrated tandem with dangerous juice to generate big plays frequently.
As someone with a reasonable probability to be a top target from Week 1, you’re probably wondering why Smith isn’t higher on this list.
I’m not completely sold on his quarterback, Jalen Hurts, as a passer.
He still has a long way to go with accuracy, pocket presence, decision-making etc. Smith will be open, frequently. Will he get the ball thrown between the numbers on a consistent basis? Ehhh. That’s why there’ll be other rookie wideouts with better production in 2021.
