Alabama football: Potential landing spots for DeVonta Smith in 2021 NFL Draft
By John Buhler
NFC East. Pick Analysis. 4. player. 54. Scouting Report. (No. 6). Philadelphia Eagles
Could a reunion with Jalen Hurts be in order at No. 6?
The Philadelphia Eagles had a disastrous season in 2020. Tabbed by many people as the favorite to repeat in the NFC East, Philadelphia not only finished well below .500, but they fired their former head coach Doug Pederson and are now on the precipice of trading starting quarterback Carson Wentz. Philadelphia does have a promising backup quarterback in Jalen Hurts, though.
Regardless of who plays under center for Philadelphia, it will be a trying year for new head coach Nick Sirianni. He comes over from the Indianapolis Colts to help get the Eagles’ quarterback position right. One thing that could help him get the most out of Hurts on his rookie contract is drafting a former college teammate of his in Smith at No. 6. They played together at Alabama.
While Philadelphia has not earned the benefit of the doubt with recent first-round picks, Smith enters the league with an incredibly high floor. He may be on the smaller side of things, but he is adept at getting open and has great ball skills. If he and Hurts can quickly develop a rapport, the Eagles’ rebuilding process may only be about a year or so. However, they do have other needs.
Carolina Panthers. 3. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. NFC South. 87. (No. 8)
Turnarounds happen very quickly under Matt Rhule’s reign
The Carolina Panthers could go in several directions with their No. 8 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. This is a rebuilding team that briefly overachieved in the first few weeks of the Matt Rhule era in Charlotte. Unfortunately, and expectedly, the Panthers regressed to the mean of being a terrible team under Rhule in his first year on the job. Things do get better very quickly under him.
The big question the Panthers need to ask themselves is if they are comfortable rolling with Teddy Bridgewater as their starting quarterback for another year. Not that there is anything wrong with him, but he is at best the third best quarterback in his own division. If the Panthers do not go with a quarterback in the top-eight, it may serve them to draft a difference-maker at receiver in Smith.
The NFC South already has several outstanding receivers, so it would only be fair for the Panthers to truly get someone who can be as special as what their rival teams possess on the outside. Carolina could also look to add another defensive playmaker at No. 8, but this team needs to get more dynamic offensively outside of running back Christian McCaffrey. Smith helps in that regard.