Player comparisons can be good and bad. Often when you do it, somebody has to chime in and say that it’s a lofty comparison. Fair enough.
But if you remove the HOF credentials or the idea that I’m predicting Devonta Smith to end up as one of the top 4-5 receivers of all time — then my comp for Smith is Marvin Harrison meets Jerry Rice.
The smooth, deceptive speed and gazelle-like ease in which he runs reminds me of Rice. Harrison had some of that in his game too. Of course Harrison’s frame is eerily similar to Smith, although Devonta is a tad taller (and longer, I believe).
What I like about Smith is that he’s not a one-trick pony. He’s not just a speed guy. He’s not just a great hands possession guy. He can do a bit of everything and do it at a higher than average level.
He can take a quick hitch or slant and turn it into a big gainer. He can beat the top off a defense with his quickness, route running, and better than average speed. And lastly, he can go up and get contested balls. Triple threat receivers like him don’t come along every draft.
The only knock anybody could realistically have about him is his slight frame. That he’s not 20 pounds thicker. However, he played in the SEC for 4 years against some of the best athletes — many of which are also in the NFL or soon will be — and he never experienced problems or injuries due to his build. And as has been pointed out ad nauseam, slim or small players are able to succeed in today’s NFL like never before.
Waddle is fairly small too, at 5-10 183ish. But I also do not care.