Eagles: Does DeSean Jackson release pave the way for DeVonta Smith?

DeSean Jackson is out, could DeVonta Smith be in for the Eagles?

With DeSean Jackson getting released by the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday afternoon, are the Eagles opening a roster spot and place on the depth chart for the next great receiver? With the No. 6 pick, the Eagles are in good position to draft Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith to be Jalen Hurts’ No. 1 receiver.

Smith electrified the college football world throughout his Alabama career. From second-and-26 in the National Championship Game as a freshman to becoming the first receiver to win the Heisman since Desmond Howard in 1991, Smith projects as a top-10 pick in the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft.

Despite being slender at 190 pounds, he is exactly the type of player a rebuilding Philadelphia team needs to take at No. 6 in the 2021 NFL Draft.

DeVonta Smith already has a rapport with Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts

As much as Eagles fans may want to draft or even trade up for quarterback prospects such as Justin Fields, Trey Lance or Zach Wilson, they already have a promising one in Hurts.

The former Heisman runner-up eventually took away the starting job from Carson Wentz late last season. The best part is he already has a previous working relationship with Smith from their time together at Alabama.

While Smith caught that famous second-and-26 pass from Tua Tagovailoa in the 2017 National Championship game, Hurts was the Crimson Tide’s starting quarterback that year. Tagovailoa beat out Hurts, resulting in him transferring to Oklahoma. However, their previous college connection could do wonders in new head coach Nick Sirianni’s 2021 quest to not finish last in the NFC East.

Jackson may be an Eagles legend, but Smith could be their best wide receiver since Terrell Owens.