DeVonta Smith draws comparison to Hall of Fame receiver

Much has been made about his lack of size, but DeVonta Smith has drawn a comparison to a second Hall of Fame wide receiver.

With 1,856 yards and 23 touchdowns last season for Alabama, DeVonta Smith became the first wide receiver to win the Heisman Trophy since 1991 and just the third wide receiver ever to win the award-unless you want to count Nebraska’s Johnny Rodgers (1972) as a wide receiver. Then it’s four.

Smith didn’t exactly stand out for his height and weight based on his listing in college (6-foot-1, 170 or 175 pounds). But then he came in at a little over 6-feet tall and 166 pounds recently, inspiring extra consternation from draft pundits about his lack of size.

During his appearance on “Good Morning Football” Tuesday morning, Smith was asked about the concerns over his size.

“We play football,” “We’re in a football business. We’re not lifting or in a body building business, it’s football, that’s what we’re here for. So that other stuff is irrelevant….I can do everything. Inside, outside, I can do special teams. There’s nothing I can’t do. Wherever you want to plug me in, I can do that. that just gives me an advantage.”

DeVonta Smith draws comparison to Hall of Fame wide receiver

One of the easier physical comps for Smith is former Colts’ wide receiver Marvin Harrison, and NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein has compared him to Calvin Ridley. Albert Breer of The MMQB has passed along another favorable comp for the reigning Heisman winner.

Isaac Bruce put up 15,208 yards over 16 NFL seasons, mostly with the Rams, which has him fifth on the all-time receiving yardage list. He’s also top-15 all-time in receptions (1,024; 13th) and receiving touchdowns (91; 12th). As a member the 2020 Hall of Fame class, Bruce finally got his due among the all-time great receivers.

Bruce and Harrison didn’t fit the physical template that’s considered ideal, just like Smith, they just took the field and produced. If Smith falls out of the top-10 on Thursday night, teams will be jumping over themselves to get him.