Stephen A. Smith Thinks the Jets Should Draft DeVonta Smith Second Overall

Stephen A. Smith knows exactly what the Jets should do with the No. 2 pick of the 2021 NFL draft.

On Tuesday, the cohost of ESPN's First Take explained that New York should take Alabama's wide receiver and Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith.

"I'm just thinking about the ultra weapon that DeVonta Smith is," Smith said. "How much better he can make Sam Darnold look because of what the Jets have been devoid of. To me, I don't mind the idea of him being number two overall."

This take came after Alabama's Smith had the game of his life, tearing Ohio State's secondary to shreds in the national championship Monday night. The wideout had 215 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 12 catches and only played in the first half, leaving the game early with a dislocated finger. 

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Teams typically don't use a top selection to take a wide receiver. With Oregon's left tackle Penei Sewell available, along with quarterbacks Justin Fields (OSU) and Zach Wilson (BYU), there are other options for the Jets and general manager Joe Douglas. 

The reason Smith is convinced the Jets need to take the playmaker from Alabama at No. 2 is that the wideout can help this offense improve.

"The key thing for me is that in all likelihood, we might not know how bad the Jets' offensive line was," Smith explained. "Since nobody was getting open, Sam Darnold probably had to hold onto the ball all day long and ultimately put himself in a position where they were going to get at him because nobody was getting open. That's how bereft of talent the New York Jets were this season as far as I'm concerned."

Winning only two games in 2020, the Jets' offense was last in the NFL in yards per game (279.9) and points per game (15.2). Jamison Crowder was the team's leading receiver, hauling in 59 receptions for 699 yards. 

In their defense, New York's group of starting receivers didn't play together for the first time—due to injuries—until Week 9. Crowder and Breshad Perriman both played in only 12 games while standout rookie Denzel Mims, who the Jets took in the second round of last year's draft, played in nine games.

"Can we give Broadway and the folks [in New York] something to cheer about?" Smith added. "I mean, I understand the offensive line is very very important but can we give them somebody? Somebody to look forward to watching?"

MORE: Should the Jets Draft DeVonta Smith With the Second Overall Pick?

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