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The biggest question asked in the 2021 NFL Draft is about wide receivers. Already, experts and fans are debating which option is better: Ja’Marr Chase from LSU or DeVonta Smith from Alabama?
Smith won the 2020 Heisman Trophy after winning 117 receptions for 1,856 yards and 23 touchdowns. Chase opted out of the 2020 season in order to prepare for the NFL Draft amid COVID-19.
In the last episode of the First Draft podcast with ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay, Kiper Jr. weighed in on the debate between Smith and Chase.
“It’s really close,” Kiper Jr. said. “There are people watching Chase, and that’s what I would say: remember how awesome he was. They had Marshall Terrace – I have it at the end of the first round in Baltimore. Clyde Edwards-Helaire was the running back for Joe burrowand you had Justin Jefferson, who had a great rookie year with the Vikings. You had a great Ja’Marr Chase, making 84 catches, 21.2 on average and 20 touchdowns. DeVonta Smith has played this year, he’s been spectacular. … Both of those receivers will go to the top of the draft, somewhere in that 2-5 area, and I wouldn’t be at all shocked if they get 2-3. Is it going to be close? Is it going to be too close to call? It could very well happen at the end of April. It could be a dead end until the end.
Although Chase has chosen not to participate this season, many draft experts believe he is better than Smith. In 2019, playing for National Champion LSU Tigers, Chase made 84 catches for 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns.
On Daniel Jeremiah’s latest Top 50 list, the former NFL scout ranks Chase No.3 and Smith No.7.
In December, ESPN NFL Draft Analyst Todd McShay listed the top non-quarterback prospects in this year’s draft class, including a few who have already opted out of the season. .
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“I would go with According to Sewell but he pulled out so we couldn’t see him play, ”McShay said. “Micah parsons, a Penn State linebacker, retired. He’s one of the top five players. Another top five prospect who retired is Ja’Marr Chase of LSU and he’s not playing this year. This makes it the strangest year for valuation we’ve ever seen. But I love the group’s pass catchers. Along with LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase, two Alabama guys, Devonta Smith who has been the most consistent of the four big receivers who will end up in the first round for the past two years. you have Jaylen waddle, who is injured but so explosive when in good health. Consumption Bateman, which looks a lot JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Kyle pitts, a tight ending is having a monster year. He could be the tight tenth end caught in the top 10 in the past 50 years of the NFL Draft.
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