Alabama Football: Top 5 prospects for 2021 NFL Draft

DeVonta Smith became a hero for the Crimson Tide program when he caught the game-winning touchdown in overtime of the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship over the Georgia Bulldogs.

This past season is where Smith showed his true potential as an elite and dangerous receiver. Offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian made Smith an outside receiver and had Jerry Jeudy start at the slot receiver.

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This past season, Smith the team in receiving yards (1,256 yards) and reception touchdowns (14) while accounting for 68 receptions, second-highest on the team. His biggest performance last season was when he caught 11 receptions for 274 yards and five touchdowns. Smith was named first-team All-SEC team this past season.

While Henry Ruggs and Jeudy were the speedsters of the Crimson Tide’s highly productive passing game, Smith’s speed was still unmatched. He is one of college football’s best receivers in terms of breakout speed in vertical routes.

There will be plenty of wide receivers selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft similar to the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Smith is also a receiver that is difficult to stay in coverage with especially at the line of scrimmage. He leads the nation in average yards against the press with 29.7 yards.

Much will be expected in his senior season at Alabama. One area where Smith can get better in is at contested catches by becoming physical. He has caught seven of twelve catches in tightly contested targets. Athlon Sports has Smith ranked 14th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft class while USA Today has ranked 20th overall.