DeVonta Smith vs Ja’Marr Chase – Which Louisiana Speedster Will Be More Effective in the NFL?

Nick Saban-led Alabama Crimson Tide football team made their way to the CFP National Championship final earlier this year. They went on to defeat Justin Fields and the Ohio State Buckeyes by a comprehensive 52-24 scoreline. Apart from QB Mac Jones, star wide receiver DeVonta Smith starred as he finished the game with 215 receiving yards and 3 receiving TDs. What makes this stat even more interesting is that Smith played for just one half.

Smith concluded the season with 1,862 receiving yards and 24 receiving TDs. His explosive display earned him the 2020 Heisman Trophy ahead of the likes of Trevor Lawrence, Kyle Trask, and teammate Mac Jones. But some critics argue that Smith’s dominance would not have been possible if LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase played in 2020.

Chase starred for the Louisiana State University in 2019. The starry-eyed wide receiver along with Joe Burrow and Clyde Edwards-Helaire won the CFP National Championship in 2019. He set multiple records finishing the season with 1,785 receiving yards and 20 receiving TDs. He opted out of the 2020 college football season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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DeVonta Smith vs Ja’Marr Chase – Who is the better WR from the Class of 2021

Which QB will be throwing long balls to @LSUfootball WR Ja’Marr Chase in 2021? @Real10jayy__ (by @SIRIUSXM)

: 2021 #NFLDraft — Thursday 8pm ET on NFLN/ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/mZGGf1o3NX

— NFL (@NFL) April 27, 2021

Both these kids were born and brought up in the state of Louisiana. DeVonta Smith is from Amite City, while Ja’Marr Chase is from Harvey in New Orleans. The speedster duo both have similar career paths up until now. But what matters next is what they make of their massive potential.

Make no mistake, these two youngsters are without a doubt the best wideouts in the Class of 2021. Their individual stats out-stage all other candidates in the draft, by a considerable margin. However, it remains to be seen if they can live up to the high expectations from NFL fans.

But when it comes to physical prowess, it’s Chase who is the obvious favorite. Smith is on the leaner side weighing 79 kgs as compared to Ja’Marr who is 95+ kgs. In fact, DeVonta is set to be the lightest player to be drafted since 1999.

There have been some doubts surrounding his build and physical attributes. Critics have hinted that teams high up the draft might opt to pick Chase instead of Smith for this particular reason.

But teams such as Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers, or even the Detroit Lions will not hesitate to draft the youngster in the 1st round.

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