DeVonta Smith Could Be Philly’s Most Exciting Athlete Since Iverson
As you may have noticed, morale has been low for Eagles fans over the past few months. The once-promising future of the franchise has decayed into an apocalyptic state. And while the NFL Draft usually provides hope for fanbases, the Eagles recent track record of drafting has turned it into a horror show for theirs.
That’s why we were expecting the same in the 2021 NFL Draft. With the Birds bold decision to trade back from 6 to 12, it was unlikely they would be able to get one of the stars of the draft. And just when said star got close to pick 12, their archrival Cowboys or Giants would get him.
Then suddenly . . . it happened. Just when we were expecting the worst, the Eagles somehow managed to trade up with the Cowboys of all teams and leap ahead of the Giants to get the 10th pick in the draft. And with that tenth pick the Birds selected DeVonta Smith, the reigning Heisman trophy winner from the National Champion Alabama Crimson Tide.
As shocking as it initially seemed that the Cowboys agreed to let the Eagles move up to get their guy, they actually made a smart decision in allowing them to jump ahead of the more-threatening Giants and gain a 3rd round pick out of it.
On a night where fans were dreading what 1st Round pick they will waste this time, the complete opposite occurred as the Birds actually got an exciting player they hoped to get. Does DeVonta Smith solve all of the team’s problems? Obviously not, but what it does solve is getting a star from college who can rejuvenate the franchise and inspire the entire city.
We should have been able to see this coming since Smith has similar numbers to a certain Philly sports icon.
This comparison makes complete sense pic.twitter.com/0TnTt1WQAn
— SB Nation (@SBNation) April 30, 2021
In the 25 years since Iverson arrived in Philly, there have been very few athletes who have inspired as much hype and excitement in the city. Smith has arrived in Philly as the first wide receiver to win the Heisman trophy in three decades, in his freshman season he made one of the most memorable plays in college football history in the National Title Game, and in his final college football game he gained over 200 yards and caught three touchdowns . . . in a SINGLE HALF.
There have been other exciting Eagles over the past quarter-century like Terrell Owens, DeSean Jackson and LeSean McCoy, but their time at the top didn’t last as long as Smith’s could. No Flyer has quite been as compelling since Eric Lindros left, and the best Phillies have more professional than electric during their prime. Smith loves to run routs and make plays, something that Eagles fans may want more at this point than another Lombardi trophy.
Every big catch Smith makes a Bird will have Lincoln Financial Field explode in rapturous glee, or at least when the Linc reaches full capacity. Him being coached by Nick Saban’s staff should also help him avoid the negative receiver tropes that other Bama wideouts like Amari Cooper and Julio Jones have, while also not eliminating the swagger and confidence that made them great in the first place.
Who knows how the future will be with Smith, but right now it feels good for Eagles fans to finally be pumped about their first round pick.