The uncertainty of team sports… That’s, in essence, why we tune in. Some things don’t surprise us. We all believed last season that the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers might end up in the Super Bowl. Obviously, none of us were shocked when we saw that scenario play out. The Philadelphia Eagles are looking to take San Fran’s place in football’s biggest game this season. We don’t have to ask them to confirm this.
But, we’ll say it again. Nothing is certain in professional football. No one is guaranteed anything, especially fifth-round draft choices.
While we expect Ainias Smith will make the 53-man roster, he isn’t making the best case at Eagles training camp.
You’ve probably heard us say this a time or two. It feels like it bears repeating here today for the sake of argument.
First-round draftees are normally expected to step in and contribute quickly. They say the meat of NFL rosters are found on Day 2. That’s when you build championship teams. Depth and future starters are hopefully found there. Once teams reach Day 3, you’re basically just hoping to get lucky.
Philly has found gold late before (Jason Kelce, Jordan Mailata). They have also laid bricks. Those guys shall remain nameless, but in the case of Ainias Smith, expect to see a long deliberation by the jury.
Smith’s selection was exciting. He owns a lot of traits that the Eagles were searching for. He’s smallish. He only stands at five-foot-nine and tips the scales at 190 pounds. In other words, he’s three inches shorter than Michael Vick and 20 pounds lighter in the frame, but in open space, he could prove to be a deadly weapon… we hope.
Whenever we see someone who is Smith’s size, our brains scream two words: slot receiver. There’s an issue though. Too often, we have seen him display hands of stone.
He has dropped passes in tackle-free practices, and when he has tried his hand at special teams, we have seen him muff punts. That has been disappointing because we were told he could make an immediate impact as a returner.
Poll anyone about who the best options the Eagles have when deciding on a third wide receiver, and Smith’s name probably won’t come up. He may not even be mentioned as the fourth wideout. Parris Campbell seems to be the likely candidate to become the WR3. John Ross and Britain Covey have been impressive, and as far as rookies go, interest seems to have shifted from Smith to fellow rookie Johnny Wilson (though Wilson has also had a few reps he’d like to forget.
Smith isn’t promised anything. If we were to make guesses right now, we’d assume he’d make the initial 53-man roster by virtue of being a draft choice, but that isn’t certain. He’ll need to begin turning some corners, and he’ll need to do so quickly.
In their draft profile of the former Texas A&M receiver, NFL.com’s draft experts gave him a grade of 5.99 which means they see him as an average backup or special teamer. Lance Zierlein compares him to fellow Aggie Christian Kirk and states the following:
“Slot receiver with a somewhat unusual blend of elusiveness and power when the ball is in his hands. Smith is fine as a possession slot who can run more complicated routes underneath while also offering the courage to work successfully into the middle of the field. The route running is good but has room to get even better with more polish. However, his true calling might be as a gadget guy. He expands play-calling options with his ability as an occasional ball-carrier and open-field explorer, where the quick game and West Coast routes would allow him to get the ball in his hands and do his thing.”
We have seen Philly and most NFL teams normally keep six wideouts on the roster. We’re certain that AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith are making the squad. The next tier appears to house Parris Campbell, John Ross, and Britain Covey.
Campbell, Ross, and Covey all have a shot at making this team. No one knows, but let’s say the Eagles agree and that’s exactly how things work out. Let’s say Brown, Smith, Campbell, Ross, and Covey all make the roster. That means Ainias Smith, Johnny Wilson, Joseph Ngata, Jacob Harris, Griffin Hebert, and Austin Watkins are competing for what might be one roster spot with Shaquan Davis on the Active/Non-Football Injury list.
You have to ask yourself then. How do we feel about Ainias Smith’s chances of making the 53-man roster? We can make arguments for his inclusion and exemption. He needs a huge training camp and preseason. There is still much to work out.
