Eagles 2021 Draft: Trading Up, Birds Grab Wide Receiver Of Future

ThPHILADELPHIA, PA — The Philadelphia Eagles hope they have the wide receiver of their future after the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday, selecting Alabama star and Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith.

As the hours and the minutes ticked down to their opening first round pick in the NFL Draft, the Birds coordinated a rare inter-division trade with their arch-rivals, the Dallas.

Sacrificing one of their third round picks, which came in at 84th overall, the Eagles moved up two spots on the draft board. They selected Smith 10th overall.

Receiver was a top position of need for the Eagles, who suffered at the position notably in the 2020 season.

Standing at 6'0 and 170 pounds, Smith helped Alabama win a national championship last season, catching the game-winning pass, and was widely considered among the small handful of the best players in the nation.

ESPN NFL Nation reporters' latest mock draft had the Birds picking cornerback Patrick Surtain II out of Alabama with the 12th pick in the draft. It was predicted there that Smith would be taken off the boards at 6th overall, long before the Eagles had a chance at him.

The NFL Draft continues Friday. The Eagles have nine more picks to make in the draft's remaining rounds.