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Other than his slight frame (6-1, 175), what is not to like about Smith? An outstanding route-runner, the sure-handed receiver has been been uber-productive over the past two years.

If Smith had declared last year, he would have joined Henry Ruggs and Jerry Jeudy as first-round receivers. This year, he'll join teammate Jaylen Waddle as first-rounders. Despite the star-studded receiving corps, it was Smith that led the team in receiving yards (1,256) and touchdowns (14) last season. This year, the Heisman hopeful really stepped up with the injury to Waddle as he currently leads the FBS in receptions (98) and yards (1,511) and is second in touchdowns (17).

Even though the team drafted Jalen Reagor in the first round in 2020, it wouldn't be a surprise if they went back to the well in 2021 with a talent like Smith.

Former All-Pro Darius Slay has been inconsistent at best during his first season in Philly and Nickell Robey-Coleman is headed for free agency. Surtain, a former five-star recruit, has NFL DNA (father was an All-Pro corner who played 11 seasons) and prototypical traits. He was recently named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year.

I was tempted to put a quarterback in this spot, given that Philadelphia is the “QB Factory” after all … but I restrained myself.

The Eagles have pressing needs at two levels defensively: linebacker and cornerback. Micah Parsons would be a tremendous pick for them, but something tells me that Howie Roseman might not pay a premium (in terms of draft capital) for an off-ball linebacker.

So they look to find a cornerback to put opposite Darius Slay. That leads them to Tuscaloosa and Patrick Surtain II. The Alabama cornerback has started for the Crimson Tide since his freshman season, when he was named to the SEC All-Freshman team and Freshman All-America squad. A sticky man-coverage cornerback could be the missing ingredient to the Philadelphia secondary.

The Eagles are somewhat screwed at the quarterback position. Even if they draft as high as sixth in the 2021 NFL Draft, it's likely the top three quarterback prospects (Lawrence, Wilson, Fields) are already off the board. They're also still tied to veteran Carson Wentz's monster contract unless they can find a trade suitor in the offseason. And while rookie Jalen Hurts has shown flashes of competence as the team's starter, he's still one of the lowest-graded quarterbacks over the past three weeks (Weeks 14-16) and largely a project at the position.

Hurts and Wentz will likely duke it out in camp to compete for the starting nod just to play for an offense that lacks depth and high-end talent across the board. Targeting one of the best non-quarterbacks in the draft at higher positional value than off-ball linebacker (sorry Micah Parsons stans) at No. 6 overall makes the most sense for Philly.

Waddle is arguably a better receiver prospect than Henry Ruggs III was coming out of Alabama in 2020. An explosive, dynamic athlete, Waddle ranks inside the top five in yards per route run (3.64) and yards after the catch per reception (11.5) over the past two seasons.

That's right, Smith is the first wideout off the board. He isn't our WR1 (yet) but he could end up winning the Heisman. More importantly for the Eagles, he plays much (much much) bigger than his listed 175 pounds (and he's probably not even that heavy) and because he's so polished as a player, he's a Day 1 contributor in the NFL.

This young man is as solid as they come. Surtain is mature beyond his years technically. His physicality at the line mixes brutality and control, and his ability to get and remain in phase is impressive.

There is little question that he will be a pro for a long time. He isn't the high-end prospect guys like Jeffrey Okudah or Denzel Ward were, but Surtain going inside the top 10 in a class devoid of blue-chip talent is still a win.

The Eagles could easily be players in this quarterback class if Jalen Hurts falters down the stretch, but they have a roster built to contend in the NFC East right now if Hurts proves to be an upgrade over Carson Wentz.

We've all seen this offense, and while it does look better with Jalen Hurts at quarterback, the front office has to bolster the receiving corps with a No. 1 option. Smith isn't the biggest or fastest, but he's always open and has automatic hands.