The Philadelphia Eagles jumped at the chance to draft DeVonta Smith with the No. 10 overall pick in the NFL draft. Smith thought he could go higher.

Smith revealed during an interview with former Eagles defensive lineman he thought the Carolina Panthers might select him with the No. 8 overall pick. But he also knew he wouldn't fall farther than the No. 11 spot:

“I thought Carolina was going to draft me. That's who I thought,” Smith told Long, via Adam Hermann of NBC Sports Philadelphia. “I knew of course the Giants, but it was all about, You have to get to 11. I knew if I was there at 11, I was for sure going to the Giants.”

The Panthers might indeed have been in the market for a wide receiver.

Carolina could have used another weapon for new quarterback Sam Darnold, especially with Curtis Samuel departing in free agency. The Panthers might also have looked to grab the next-best available offensive lineman after the Detroit Lions took Penei Sewell with the No. 7 overall pick. Instead, Carolina drafted cornerback Jaycee Horn, opening up the door for the Eagles.

Philadelphia jumped the Giants in the draft order, trading with the Dallas Cowboys to move up two spots and take Smith with the No. 10 overall pick. The Heisman Trophy immediately becomes the most notable target for second-year quarterback Jalen Hurts.

A lot was been made of Smith's slender frame during the buildup to the draft. But what Smith lacks in size, he makes up for in spades with tremendous route-running and good speed.

The former Alabama star should be a vital piece of Philly's offense in 2021.