NFL Draft: Eagles don’t seem concerned about DeVonta Smith’s size

The Philadelphia Eagles could do almost anything with the 12th overall pick, and they don’t seem concerned about DeVonta Smith’s lack of bulk.

It was bad enough when reigning Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith said he weighed 170 pounds at Alabama’s Pro Day. But when a recent weigh-in had him come in at 166 pounds, and a bit shorter than expected (a little over six feet tall), the “is he too small?” conversation really took wings.

Smith will be a first-round pick, and he could be the first wide receiver drafted. There’s no denying his production, with over 1,800 yards and 23 touchdowns for the Crimson Tide last season and 37 touchdowns over his final two collegiate seasons. The loftiest NFL comparisons are Marvin Harrison and Isaac Bruce.

The Philadelphia Eagles haven’t exactly nailed their wide receiver draft picks lately. Just last year, they notably passed on Justin Jefferson to take Jalen Reagor. After a trade out of the No. 6 overall pick, they have the No. 12 pick in next Thursday night’s first round. They could do practically anything with that pick, and good luck predicting what they’ll do.

The Eagles are not concerned about DeVonta Smith’s size

Dismissing a player simply because he doesn’t fit perfectly into some template is foolish. Eagles general manager Howie Roseman and head coach Nick Sirianni spoke to reporters last week, and said just that.

“Good players come in all shapes and sizes,” Roseman said on a conference call earlier this week. “And so we’re not going to discriminate based on any of those things.”

Here’s what Sirianni, a former wide receivers coach, said.

“I’ve had different X’s. I’ve had T.Y. Hilton who was 5-foot-9, 180 pounds. He played X for us. I’ve had Dwayne Bowe who was 6-2, 220 pounds. He played X for us. I had Keenan Allen who was 6-3, 200. All these guys that I’m saying, TY was fast; Keenan was quick, not fast; Dwayne Bowe was powerful. They all played different.”

The Eagles could easily feel burned after picking Reagor in the first round a year ago, and they surely expect more from him in his second season. But they won’t dismiss Smith based on his size, since he seems to check every other box.