2021 NFL Mock Draft: Washington Football Team goes offense in Round 1
Miami Dolphins. DeVonta Smith. 3. player. 59. . Wide Receiver
The 2021 NFL Draft will mark the first time since 2017 that the Heisman Trophy winner from the previous season won’t go No. 1 overall. Joe Burrow, Kyler Murray, and Baker Mayfield have rattled off three straight No. 1 selections for Heisman winners.
That said, Devonta Smith isn’t your typical Heisman winner. He’s the first receiver to win the award since Desmond Howard back in 1991. While Smith’s season was amazing, he’s not going to be able to leapfrog the likes of Lawrence to earn that top honor because quarterbacks are far more valuable than receivers at the NFL level.
Smith still will go early, however. He looks like a top-10 pick barring any issues popping up during offseason interviews and workouts. After all, he posted a ridiculous stat line last year that saw him catch 117 passes for 1,856 yards and 23 touchdowns. That type of production is unheard of and he was as dynamic as his stat line indicates.
Nobody could cover Smith throughout the season. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound receiver is a great route runner who finds space behind opposing defensive backs well. He also has terrific speed and can turn on the jets in an instant. Once he gets an angle on defensive players, it is very hard for them to catch him, if they can at all.
Smith’s light frame is a bit concerning, but if he can pack on some extra muscle without losing his speed, he should be able to hold up at the NFL level. He has four years worth of college experience under Nick Saban’s great coaching, so that should help him to make the switch to the NFL seamlessly.
The Dolphins could certainly use some more talent at the receiver position. DeVante Parker is a good starting option, but he has dealt with some nagging injuries the past couple of seasons. But if he stays healthy, he and Smith could be a dynamic one-two punch with Parker providing the size and Smith being more of a separation/deep threat receiver. Smith’s presence would also allow Preston Williams, Lynn Bowden Jr., and the other Dolphins receivers to get open on the field more frequently.
If Miami is going to build around Tua Tagovailoa, they need to surround him with some weapons. They could’ve gone with Smith, Chase, or Sewell here, but for now, based on his recent performance, Smith will be the pick.