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Which College Wide Receiver Will Have A Better NFL Career: Devonta Smith Or Brandon Aiyuk?

Trends January 13, 2025

Who is better, Devonta Smith or Brandon Aiyuk? Both are talented wide receivers. Let's compare them in detail.

Devonta Smith is a wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles. He was the 10th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Smith had a breakout season in 2021, leading the NFL in receiving yards (1,696) and touchdowns (16). He was named Offensive Rookie of the Year and was a First-Team All-Pro selection.

Brandon Aiyuk is a wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers. He was the 25th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Aiyuk has shown flashes of brilliance in his young career. In 2021, he had 80 receptions for 1,075 yards and 5 touchdowns. He is expected to take on a bigger role in the 49ers' offense in 2022.

So, who is better, Devonta Smith or Brandon Aiyuk? It's too early to say for sure. Smith has had more success in his NFL career to date, but Aiyuk is still developing. Both players have the potential to be elite wide receivers in the NFL.

| Feature | Devonta Smith | Brandon Aiyuk ||---|---|---|| Age | 23 | 24 || Height | 6'1" | 6'0" || Weight | 170 lbs | 186 lbs || College | Alabama | Arizona State || Draft | 10th overall in 2021 | 25th overall in 2020 || NFL Team | Philadelphia Eagles | San Francisco 49ers |

Ultimately, the answer to the question of who is better, Devonta Smith or Brandon Aiyuk, will depend on their respective performances in the NFL. Both players have the potential to be great, but only time will tell who will reach their full potential.

Devonta Smith or Brandon Aiyuk

When comparing Devonta Smith and Brandon Aiyuk, several key aspects come into focus:

Draft Position
College Performance
NFL Statistics
Athleticism
Role on Team
Potential
Age

While Devonta Smith was drafted higher and has more impressive NFL statistics, Brandon Aiyuk has shown flashes of brilliance and is still developing. Both players have the potential to be elite wide receivers in the NFL, but only time will tell who will reach their full potential.

1. Draft Position

Draft position is a significant factor to consider when comparing Devonta Smith and Brandon Aiyuk. Smith was drafted 10th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, while Aiyuk was drafted 25th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. This difference in draft position indicates that Smith was viewed as a more highly touted prospect coming out of college.

Higher expectations: Players drafted in the top 10 are typically expected to make an immediate impact on their team. Smith has certainly lived up to these expectations, leading the NFL in receiving yards and touchdowns in his rookie season.
More opportunities: Players drafted in the top 10 are often given more opportunities to succeed. Smith has been a key part of the Eagles' offense since day one, while Aiyuk has had to compete with Deebo Samuel and George Kittle for targets.
Greater potential: Players drafted in the top 10 are generally considered to have more potential than players drafted later in the first round. Smith has shown that he has the potential to be a truly elite wide receiver, while Aiyuk is still developing.

Of course, draft position is not the only factor that determines a player's success in the NFL. However, it is a significant factor to consider when comparing Devonta Smith and Brandon Aiyuk.

2. College Performance

College performance is a key indicator of future success in the NFL. Devonta Smith and Brandon Aiyuk both had impressive college careers, but there are some key differences between their performances.

Production: Smith was one of the most productive wide receivers in college football history. He set Alabama's single-season record for receiving yards (1,856) and touchdowns (23) in 2020. Aiyuk, on the other hand, was a solid producer but not quite as dominant as Smith. He had 1,192 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns in his final season at Arizona State.
Efficiency: Smith was also one of the most efficient wide receivers in college football. He averaged 18.1 yards per reception in his final season at Alabama. Aiyuk, on the other hand, was a bit less efficient, averaging 14.9 yards per reception in his final season at Arizona State.
Play style: Smith is a polished route runner with great hands and body control. He is also a very good athlete with good speed and leaping ability. Aiyuk is a more physical receiver who uses his size and strength to his advantage. He is also a good athlete with good speed and leaping ability.

Overall, Smith had a more impressive college career than Aiyuk. He was more productive and efficient, and he has a more polished play style. However, Aiyuk is still a very talented receiver with a lot of potential. It will be interesting to see how the two players compare in the NFL.

3. NFL Statistics

NFL statistics are a valuable tool for evaluating the performance of players and teams. They can provide insights into a player's strengths and weaknesses, as well as their overall impact on the game. When it comes to Devonta Smith and Brandon Aiyuk, NFL statistics can help us to compare their production and efficiency, as well as their overall value to their respective teams.

Receiving yards: Devonta Smith led the NFL in receiving yards in 2021 with 1,696 yards. Brandon Aiyuk had 1,075 receiving yards in 2021.
Receiving touchdowns: Devonta Smith led the NFL in receiving touchdowns in 2021 with 16 touchdowns. Brandon Aiyuk had 5 receiving touchdowns in 2021.
Yards per reception: Devonta Smith averaged 12.1 yards per reception in 2021. Brandon Aiyuk averaged 13.4 yards per reception in 2021.
Catch percentage: Devonta Smith had a catch percentage of 69.3% in 2021. Brandon Aiyuk had a catch percentage of 62.5% in 2021.

Overall, Devonta Smith had a more productive season than Brandon Aiyuk in 2021. He led the NFL in receiving yards and touchdowns, and he had a higher yards per reception average. However, Aiyuk had a higher catch percentage. It will be interesting to see how the two players compare in 2022.

4. Athleticism

Athleticism plays a crucial role in the success of football players, including wide receivers like Devonta Smith and Brandon Aiyuk. Athleticism encompasses a range of physical attributes that enable players to excel on the field, including:

Speed: The ability to accelerate quickly and reach high speeds is essential for wide receivers to create separation from defenders and get open for passes.
Agility: The ability to change direction quickly and easily is important for wide receivers to avoid tackles and make sharp cuts on routes.
Jumping ability: The ability to jump high and catch passes over defenders is a valuable asset for wide receivers, especially in the end zone.
Strength: The ability to withstand contact from defenders and break tackles is important for wide receivers to gain extra yards after the catch.

Both Devonta Smith and Brandon Aiyuk possess impressive athleticism. Smith is known for his blazing speed and agility, while Aiyuk is known for his leaping ability and strength. These physical attributes have helped both players to succeed at the highest level of football.

5. Role on Team

The role that a player has on their team can have a significant impact on their success. This is especially true for wide receivers, who can be asked to play a variety of roles in different offenses. Devonta Smith and Brandon Aiyuk are two of the most talented young wide receivers in the NFL, but they play very different roles on their respective teams.

Smith is the clear-cut number one wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles. He is the team's primary target in the passing game, and he is often used to stretch the field vertically. Smith is a deep threat who can take the top off of a defense, and he is also a very good route runner who can create separation from defenders.Aiyuk, on the other hand, plays a more versatile role for the San Francisco 49ers. He is often used as a slot receiver, but he can also line up outside or even in the backfield. Aiyuk is a very good athlete who can create yards after the catch, and he is also a dangerous deep threat. He is not as polished a route runner as Smith, but he is still a very effective receiver.

The different roles that Smith and Aiyuk play on their respective teams have a significant impact on their production. Smith is the more productive receiver, but Aiyuk is more versatile and can be used in a variety of ways. Both players are valuable assets to their teams, and they are both capable of having big seasons in 2022.

6. Potential

The potential of Devonta Smith and Brandon Aiyuk is one of the most intriguing aspects of their comparison. Both players have shown flashes of brilliance in their young careers, but they have also both had some struggles. The question is, which player has the higher ceiling? And what factors will determine whether they reach their full potential?

Natural Ability: Both Smith and Aiyuk have exceptional natural ability. They are both gifted athletes with great size, speed, and leaping ability. They also have good hands and route-running skills.
Work Ethic: Both Smith and Aiyuk are known for their hard work and dedication. They are both willing to put in the extra work to improve their game.
Coaching: Both Smith and Aiyuk are playing for teams with excellent coaching staffs. The Eagles and 49ers have a track record of developing young players.
Opportunity: Both Smith and Aiyuk have the opportunity to be the number one wide receiver on their respective teams. This will give them the chance to showcase their skills and reach their full potential.

Ultimately, the potential of Devonta Smith and Brandon Aiyuk will be determined by a combination of factors, including their natural ability, work ethic, coaching, and opportunity. Both players have the potential to be elite wide receivers in the NFL, but only time will tell who will reach their full potential.

7. Age

Age is an important factor to consider when comparing Devonta Smith and Brandon Aiyuk. Smith is 23 years old, while Aiyuk is 24 years old. This one-year difference may not seem like much, but it can make a significant difference in the NFL.

Younger players are typically more athletic and have a higher upside. They are also more likely to be able to withstand the rigors of an NFL season. Older players, on the other hand, have more experience and are more likely to be able to make plays in key situations. They are also more likely to be leaders on their teams.

It is difficult to say definitively which player has the advantage in terms of age. Smith is younger and has more upside, but Aiyuk is more experienced and has more leadership qualities. Ultimately, it will be up to each player to reach his full potential.

FAQs about Devonta Smith and Brandon Aiyuk

Here are some frequently asked questions about Devonta Smith and Brandon Aiyuk, two of the most promising young wide receivers in the NFL:

Question 1: Who is better, Devonta Smith or Brandon Aiyuk?

It is difficult to say definitively who is better, Devonta Smith or Brandon Aiyuk. Both players have shown flashes of brilliance in their young careers, but they have also both had some struggles. Smith is the more productive receiver, but Aiyuk is more versatile and can be used in a variety of ways. Both players have the potential to be elite wide receivers in the NFL, but only time will tell who will reach their full potential.

Question 2: Who is older, Devonta Smith or Brandon Aiyuk?

Brandon Aiyuk is older than Devonta Smith. Aiyuk was born on March 17, 1998, while Smith was born on January 14, 1999.

Question 3: Who was drafted higher, Devonta Smith or Brandon Aiyuk?

Devonta Smith was drafted higher than Brandon Aiyuk. Smith was the 10th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, while Aiyuk was the 25th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Question 4: Who has better stats, Devonta Smith or Brandon Aiyuk?

Devonta Smith has better stats than Brandon Aiyuk. In 2021, Smith led the NFL in receiving yards and touchdowns, while Aiyuk had a more modest stat line. However, it is important to note that Aiyuk plays a more versatile role on his team than Smith does.

Question 5: Who has more potential, Devonta Smith or Brandon Aiyuk?

Both Devonta Smith and Brandon Aiyuk have a lot of potential. They are both young, talented, and athletic wide receivers. It is difficult to say definitively who has more potential, but Smith is the more polished player at this point in his career.

Ultimately, only time will tell who will become the better player. Both Smith and Aiyuk have the potential to be elite wide receivers in the NFL. It will be exciting to see how their careers unfold.

Transition to the next article section:

Now that we've answered some of the most common questions about Devonta Smith and Brandon Aiyuk, let's take a closer look at their individual strengths and weaknesses.

Conclusion

Devonta Smith and Brandon Aiyuk are two of the most promising young wide receivers in the NFL. Both players have shown flashes of brilliance in their young careers, but they have also both had some struggles. It is difficult to say definitively who is better at this point in their careers, but both players have the potential to be elite wide receivers in the NFL.

Smith is the more polished player at this point in his career. He is a better route runner and has better hands than Aiyuk. He is also more productive, having led the NFL in receiving yards and touchdowns in 2021. However, Aiyuk is more versatile than Smith. He can play multiple positions and is a dangerous deep threat. He is also a very good blocker.

Ultimately, the potential of Smith and Aiyuk will be determined by a combination of factors, including their natural ability, work ethic, coaching, and opportunity. Both players have the potential to be elite wide receivers in the NFL, but only time will tell who will reach their full potential.