NFL Draft: Scouts believe NY Giants targeting Alabama WR Devonta Smith

Some scouts believe the NY Giants are targeting Alabama WR DeVonta Smith 

The NY Giants dramatically upgraded quarterback Daniel Jones’ supporting cast by signing wide receiver Kenny Golladay, but general manager Dave Gettleman’s far from finished building Jones’ arsenal in the passing game.

Multiple NFL scouts believe Gettleman and the NY Giants are targeting Alabama wide receiver Devonta Smith with the No. 11 overall pick in next month’s NFL Draft.

“He’s going to the Giants,” an AFC scout predicted.

Despite concerns about his slightish 6-foot and 170 pound frame, evaluators across the league believe his ceiling in the NFL to be immense.

“He’s a stud,” an NFL personnel executive tells GMenHQ. “Devonta’s wires, super play speed, and a damn good route-runner. Whoever takes him is getting a big-play guy.”

Big plays were Smith’s speciality at Alabama, where he caught 117 passes for 1,856 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2020 while averaging 15.9 yards per reception.

As Jones enters his third NFL season, the Giants have already signed Golladay and speedy former first-round reclamation project John Ross, in an effort to give him the best possible chance of taking the next step in his development.

There is certainly an argument to be made for drafting Smith, his Crimson Tide teammate Jaylen Waddle, or LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase, if any are available, given how sharply the NY Giants’ wide receiving corps regressed in 2020.

Darius Slayton led the Giants with 96 receptions for 751 yards and tied Sterling Shepard for a team-high three touchdowns. Even after adding Golladay and Ross, continuing to collect weapons in the vertical passing game could be the Giants’ best chance to take a step forward as an offense in 2021 and Jones to make a third-year leap.

Matt Lombardo is the site expert for GMenHQ, and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday for FanSided. Follow Matt on Twitter: @MattLombardoNFL.