With the Miami Dolphins in position to select a top wide receiver in this year’s draft, one NFL scout has emphatically stated that Louisiana State University wideout Ja’Marr Chase is a better prospect than DeVonta Smith from the University of Alabama.
Dave Hyde of the Sun Sentinel looked at the different draft possibilities for the Dolphins and quoted an anonymous scout who made the case for Chase as the top wide receiver in the draft.
“It’s not that close, really,” the scout said to Hyde. “Look, Smith is a great player, but lacks the size you want. Chase has everything you look — size, speed, playmaking. The comparison is [Arizona great] Larry Fitzgerald.”
Smith won the 2020 Heisman Trophy after a prolific season in which he caught 117 passes for 1,856 yards and 23 touchdowns, leading the Crimson Tide to a national title. He and Tua Tagovailoa already have a solid connection from their time at Alabama and have spoken about a possible reunion.
Chase sat out the 2020 college football season after a strong 2019 campaign in which he caught 84 passes for 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns.
The Dolphins hold the third overall pick in April’s draft and would like to supplement the efforts of their current top receiver, DeVante Parker, who has had injury issues during his NFL career.
With four picks among the top 50 selections in April’s draft, including the third overall, the Dolphins have the luxury of picking up multiple talented players to fill holes on their roster.
There’s no guarantee that the Dolphins will end up using that third overall pick on either Smith or Chase, but it’s clear that both have major talent that can potentially make an immediate impact.
