The New York Giants really wanted DeVonta Smith and are apparently “livid” at the Eagles for jumping them in the NFL Draft to grab him.
The Giants were all set to pick up Alabama Heisman winner DeVonta Smith with the No. 11 selection in the 2021 NFL Draft.
The Eagles ruined that plan and New York is still fuming about it.
According to ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg, an SEC defensive coordinator said the Giants were furious about losing Smith.
“The Giants wanted DeVonta bad,” the anonymous coordinator said. “They were pretty livid when Philly moved in front of them.”
The narrative around Smith was that he was too slight as an NFL prospect to be a No. 1 receiver in the pros, but the Giants and Eagles had no qualms going after him. Philadelphia got the better of the rivalry this time around by ensuring Jalen Hurts has a go-to receiver in 2021.
The Eagles spoiled the first round for the Giants by getting DeVonta Smith
The Giants can take heart in what they ended up getting because of the Eagles’ move up.
The Bears were there willing to trade up into the No. 11 spot for Justin Fields, giving New York a first- and fourth-round pick for 2022 and a 2021 fifth-rounder. The Giants used that fifth-round pick to trade for UCF cornerback Aaron Robinson.
What they do with those two extra picks next year will help decide just how upset they’ll continue to be about the Smith saga.
It’ll also matter what the Giants get out of Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney, who was their consolation pick at No. 20.
Expect the Smith and Toney comparisons to linger so long as the two wide receivers continue to play in the NFC East. New York and Philadelphia both picked up cornerbacks in the draft for a reason.