Todd McShay details how he evaluates Ja'Marr Chase, DeVonta Smith as 'one and 1A'
In recent year, there have been plenty of debates over the NFL futures of SEC West wide receivers. This spring, there is a hotly debated situation between LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase and Alabama’s DeVonta Smith.
ESPN NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay has the difficult task of breaking the tie with his pre-draft rankings and analysis, and did just that during a segment on ESPN on Saturday.
“He is 210 pounds and he has speed for days,” McShay said, per 247Sports. “He averaged 21.2 yards per catch and I think his traits are a little bit better than Devonta Smith but again, he opted out this year. DeVonta comes in this year, we knew he was a consistent guy. Their four wide receivers are going to be first round picks over two years and he’s been the most consistent throughout his career. What he did this year was remarkable. Jaylen Waddle goes down and the entire offense funnels through that wide receivers spot and DeVonta Smith.”
One of the most common conversation topics between the two is how Chase opted out of the season, while Smith went on to win the Heisman Trophy and national championship. Smith, of course, gets plenty of credit for having that kind of season even after the Waddle injury. In the end, though, Chase may be pegged for the Philadelphia Eagles.
“He carried it on his shoulders and he carried that Alabama team and offense to the national championship game,” McShay said. “So DeVonta Smith certainly could be the first receiver taken but I’ve got them one and 1A if you will. Chase going first and then Smith going No. 7 to the Detroit Lions.”
Chase was a star in 2019, and helped LSU to its own national title. In his last season, Chase finished with 84 catches, 1,780 yards, 20 touchdowns and 21.2 yards per catch. He played alongside Justin Jefferson, who starred as a rookie for the Minnesota Vikings in 2020.
LSU fans be lubbin’ dem some Jaquitter Chase, don’t they?
There wasn’t alot to really cling to this season, so they held onto the only thing they had. A quitter football player who “might” go a little higher in the draft than Alabama’s very own Davonte Smith.
And speaking of Alabama’s high character Heisman winner. Let’s all take a moment shall we and once again congratulate one of our very own Louisiana boys on a job well done. Unlike Jaquitter, he made us all proud. I’m sure we all agree, it’s good to see one of our own head out and make good in the world.
But I’ll tell ya though. In fairness to Jaquitter. Coach Whiteboots really didn’t give him or the rest of your bailouts a reason to hang around. They all knew what was coming and they all know who now runs that program. And it ain’t Brady and Aranda. Maybe you hang around for those two but you sure as chit don’t hang around for Dacoacheaux.
Oh and another thing. Reinstate Pandy Fackler.
Chase is certainly top notch. That being said it would be tough for me to pick him over Smith. Chase sat out the season, is he rusty? Could he have had the same dominate year against all SEC competition? More importantly would he have improved from last season to this season, or remained the same or regressed. None of these questions can be answered until he signs a contract for millions. Thus I would rate Smith higher as he is petty much a known factor. Of course I also would not rate a QB that has one year experience in the FCS as a 1st round NFL pick either.
Chase has some physical advantages, but there were a few games where he was held in check. Smith just seemed to be able to get open all season. With the pandemic still going on, I don’t know how Chase can truly show his skills after taking a season off. His desire and love of the game can and will be questioned by everyone. It will set a bad precedent if he is the first receiver drafted after sitting out a season. Going to be an interesting draft.
i don’t see it as a potential precedent situation. chase was far and away the best wr in 2019…at least imo. fortunately and hopefully moving forward, there will never be another pandemic like what we faced in 2020. i really expect 2020 to stand on its own and we won’t see any pre-season opts this year and the years to come.
also, at the time chase opted out, he wasn’t the only best player at his position to do so. other pre-season all-americans such as sewell at or, parsons at penn st, farley at vt and a couple of ohio st players did too. wade of course opted back in…and it hurt his draft stock significantly.
i get that these kids had a lot of noise in their ears, while they also had a potential risk/reward situation in front of them that no one in these forums can speak on experience to. i
chase couldn’t have done anything but hurt his draft stock or get injured by playing ’20, while smith didn’t have that same situation in front of him. he improved from a likely 2nd pick to a debate as to the best wr in the upcoming draft.
any previous year, i’d likely be calling chase out too. there were just so many unknowns back in the summmer when he and others opted out, that i’m okay w/ giving them a pass.