NFL Draft expert believes Philadelphia Eagles will ignore DeVonta Smith

Discussing wide receivers that could be added to make the Philadelphia Eagles better has become an offseason tradition if you’re a Birds fan. How did we get here, you ask? Oh, it’s actually quite simple if you’ve been paying attention. We won’t go back too far. Let’s just pick up in 2019. Philly had a really nice opportunity to improve their offensive standing as they had three picks in the first two rounds of the NFL’s annual selection meeting.

In Round 1, they went with offensive tackle Andre Dillard, a move that some are already calling a mistake, but give him time and give them credit. Dillard was regarded by many as the second-best offensive tackle in the selection meeting. Now, we just have to see if that’s how things work out.

Round 2 was where things got tricky. Needing both a running back and wide receiver, among other things, the Birds went with Miles Sanders at 53 and JJ Arcega-Whiteside at 57.

As you know, Sanders is a star that just keeps elevating. JJAW? Well, let’s just say that things haven’t quite worked out as the Birds might have planned. You all know what happened seven picks after Arcega-Whiteside’s name was called. The Seattle Seahawks landed D.K. Metcalf in a move that will live on in the minds of Eagles fans forever.

This story takes a weird turn if you’re a Philadelphia Eagles fan.

In 2020, things were supposed to be different. The vibe was that was the year to get a wide receiver in the draft if you needed one, and boy did the Birds ever! Unfortunately, somehow, despite drafting three wide receivers over the course of those three days, trading for another (Marquise Goodwin), and hiring yet another wide receiver coach, Howie Roseman and company still managed to screw up the process of shoring up the wide receiver corps.

Yes, and there was that thing about taking Jalen Reagor over Justin Jefferson. Reagor is amazing if you play Madden by the way, but that probably isn’t making you feel better. Again, let’s just say that, so far, things haven’t worked out as Philly might have hoped. So yes Philadelphia Eagles fans, we’re still talking about wide receivers.

One draft expert believes that the Philadelphia Eagles have other plans.

Longtime draft wiz Daniel Jeremiah believes that he has the cure for Philly’s ills, and though this may shock Birds fans, he believes pick number six shouldn’t be spent on a wide receiver. He believes the Philadelphia Eagles would be better suited to find someone to play opposite Darius Slay.

In his first NFL mock of 2020, he has Philly going with Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith‘s teammate, cornerback Patrick Surtain. It makes sense. While a wideout might get the ball six or seven times a game, a cornerback has the ability to influence every play on defense. Here’s what was said on the matter, straight from Jeremiah himself.

"The Eagles need another wideout, but they’re also desperate for help in the secondary. Surtain would team up with Darius Slay to give Philadelphia’s new staff an outstanding cornerback duo."

Here’s what’s funny. He has the Detroit Lions taking Smith one spot later at number seven, just like the Minnesota Vikings nabbed Justin Jefferson one spot after Philly took Reagor in 2020. Can you imagine what the vibe would be if the Eagles missed on three superstar wide receivers in three straight drafts? It hurts to think about it.

Just in case you’re curious, he has Ja’Marr Chase going to the Miami Dolphins as number three and Jaylen Waddle going to the hated New York Giants at number 11. Buckle up Birds fans. The mock drafts are about to start coming more frequently, and we have a ton to talk about between now and April.