Philadelphia Eagles: 6 thoughts on the decision to draft DeVonta Smith

Apr 29, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; DeVonta Smith (Alabama) with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by Philadelphia Eagles as the number ten overall pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft at First Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; DeVonta Smith (Alabama) with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by Philadelphia Eagles as the number ten overall pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft at First Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Philadelphia Eagles Howie Roseman
Sep 27, 2020; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman during warmups against the Cincinnati Bengals at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

The Eagles got some insane value out of the 6th overall pick.

On March 26th, the Philadelphia Eagles shook up the NFL Draft landscape by trading down with the Miami Dolphins:

"The Eagles on Friday agreed to acquire the No. 12 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, a fourth-round pick (No. 123 overall), and a 2022 first-round pick from the Miami Dolphins in exchange for the No. 6 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and a 2021 fifth-round pick (No. 156 overall)."

Last night, they gave up just one 2022 third-rounder to the Cowboys to move up two spots, snagging DeVonta Smith right before the Giants popped up on the clock (the Giants were reportedly very interested in the Heisman winning wideout).

So in conclusion, the Eagles essentially traded away the 6th overall pick, a 2021 fifth-round pick, and a 2021 third-round pick for DeVonta Smith, a 2022 first-round pick, and a 2021 fourth-round pick.

By all accounts, that’s some pretty insane value.

As frustrating as some of Howie Roseman’s moves may have been over the past few years, this string of transactions is one of the better ones I’ve seen made this offseason. Even if Smith doesn’t end up being as good as Jaylen Waddle (the receiver the Dolphins took at 6), the acquisition of that 2022 first-rounder is enough in itself to make the whole deal worthwhile.