Now that Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones are formally gone, does anybody truly believe the Detroit Lions will go into the 2021 season with a leading 3 receiver space of Tyrell Williams, Breshad Perriman and Quintez Cephus?
If you do not, then look no more than April 29, when the Lions– led by first-year basic supervisor Brad Holmes and first-year head coach Dan Campbell — select seventh in the preliminary of the 2021 NFL draft.
By now, you’re most likely acquainted with the leading receiver names, with 3 possibly worthwhile of a top-10 choice in LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase, Alabama’s Heisman Prize winner DeVonta Smith and his Crimson Tide colleague Jaylen Waddle.
In ESPN draft specialist Mel Kiper Jr.’s new mock draft launched Tuesday (membership needed), he has the Lions catching Smith as the leading target for quarterback Jared Goff.
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At 6 feet 1 and 175 pounds, Smith’s slim physique as been disputed plenty, and we wrote about Smith on Monday, however there’s no rejecting his electrical profession at Alabama, that included capturing the winning touchdown in overtime of the national championship game from Tua Tagovailoa as a freshman, and controling last season en path to a 2nd title.
” I would state this choice is most likely going to the very best wideout on the board, and Smith would be a significant option,” Kiper composed. “The Heisman Prize winner does not have the greatest frame, however you should not undervalue him. He is among the very best path runners I have actually hunted, and he beats any corner put in front of him. Detroit is plainly restoring, so I likewise would not be amazed if it trades down to get more draft capital.”
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Smith was unstoppable in 2020 as a senior, putting together 1,856 getting backyards and 25 overall goals (23 receiving, one hurrying, one on a punt return), and had 3 goal catches in the second quarter vs. Ohio State in the nationwide title video game.
In 2019, he had 68 catches for 1,256 backyards and 14 ratings while playing in an offense with 2 top-15 NFL choices in receivers Henry Ruggs III and Jerry Jeudy. “No. 1 factor was to get my degree,” he stated of why he returned for his senior year.
Kiper, who has Smith as his No. 3 overall prospect and the No. 1 receiver, has Chase going one area greater at No. 6 to Philadelphia, another receiver-needy group with a young quarterback in Jalen Injures. Chase pulled out of the 2020 season, however was dominant in 2019 throughout LSU’s champion season.
Kiper has actually quarterbacks being taken with the very first 4 choices, then has the Cincinnati Bengals taking Florida tight end Kyle Pitts– which would be huge if real, since it would press receivers down the board to groups like the Eagles and Lions.
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NFL.com’s draft specialist Daniel Jeremiah stated just recently Chase would be a “home run pick” for the Lions, while acknowledging all 3 wideouts would succeed to fill deep space left by Golladay and Jones. Jeremiah ranks Chase as the No. 2 prospect in the draft and leading receiver offered. He has Waddle at No. 6 and Smith at No. 8.
” I do not believe they can make an incorrect choice there,” he stated in early March.
