Top 5 wide receiver prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft

2. DeVonta Smith

Smith took advantage of Waddle’s injury and went on an absolute tear down the stretch of Alabama’s championship season. There’s no arguing that he was the best player on the field for long stretches of time for the Crimson Tide against elite opposition.

Any team that drafts him can be confident they are getting a very polished product at the wide receiver position. He’s a borderline savant when it comes to route running. Smith creates a ton of separation with his uncanny ability to make sharp cuts without sacrificing an ounce of speed.

The only legitimate question about his ability to thrive at the pro level is whether or not his slight frame can handle pounding from NFL defenders. He’s got solid height at 6-foot-1, but he weighs less than 180 pounds and there isn’t much room for growth in that department.

That’s still a minor flaw in what is otherwise an elite prospect. Teams should avoid exposing Smith to big hits over the middle, but there’s no reason he can’t be a major weapon on perimeter routes. Smith shouldn’t be in contention to be the No. 1 wideout off the board, but he’s still an excellent prospect.