DeVonta Smith Is Actually the Perfect Size
DeVonta Smith just finished maybe the greatest season by any receiver in college football history. He won the Heisman. He capped the season with 215 yards and 3 touchdowns in half of a National Championship Game, which his team won easily. You would think he is as sure as a sure thing can be in the NFL, but the NFL Draft means examining everything from every angle and overthinking that which often requires no though at all. So let's talk about DeVonta Smith's size.
Smith, who is listed in your program as six-foot-one and 175 pounds, declined to be measured at the Reese's Senior Bowl weigh-in on Tuesday morning. Via NFL.com:
"Size is the lone scouting concern on Smith; he was listed at 6-foot-1 and 175 pounds on the Alabama roster. The decision is a highly unusual one for the Senior Bowl weigh-in, but it does provide Smith with additional time to add weight as he trains for pro day. Smith did submit hand (9 3/8 inches), arm (31 1/2) and wingspan (78 1/2) measurements."
This is just silly. Not only that anyone would question Smith after his last two years at Alabama, putting up eye-popping numbers against an SEC schedule, but that Smith has to worry about how people will react to how big he actually is. While most people have him as a top pick in the draft, others just can't help themselves.
"I've been doubted a lot just because of my size, and really it just comes down to if you put your mind to it, you can do it." - @DeVontaSmith_6 https://t.co/U8xq8vuDod
— The Heisman Trophy (@HeismanTrophy) January 17, 2021
Devonta Smith is probably 6-foot, 170 pounds. Electrifying talent. Going back 20 years in the NFL draft, the sub 6-1 WRs to go in the top 10
— Jason McIntyre (@jasonrmcintyre) January 12, 2021
John Ross
Tavon Austin
Peter Warrick
Size OR bad teams not knowing how to use them? https://t.co/juAb9b5XGo
Devonta Smith is super skilled as a WR. He’s a superb route runner with exceptional body control and sticky hands. The size is a concern but a creative play designer could move him around to create all kinds of problems for defenses at the next level #NFLDraft
— Bucky Brooks (@BuckyBrooks) January 12, 2021
Does Devonta Smith have a single weakness other than possibly wearing the same pants size as me? Dude looks unstoppable
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) January 1, 2021
It really shouldn't matter. Just look at the leading receivers from the NFL playoffs. Number one is Stefon Diggs who is listed at 6-foot, 191 pounds. Right behind Diggs is Tyreek Hill, on his way to his second consecutive Super Bowl, who is 5-foot-10, 185 pounds. Number five on the list is Marquise Brown at 5-foot-9, 180 pounds. A little further down the list are 5-foot-8, 174-pound Cole Beasley and 5-foot-11, 196-pound Jarvis Landry. Tom Brady hit 5-foot-9, 174-pound Scotty Miller on biggest touchdown of the NFC Championship Game.
If you work in an NFL front office and hear someone suggest the team pass on DeVonta Smith because of size concerns, file a complain with human resources immediately.