Ainias Smith

Ainias Smith first burst onto the scene in 2020, posting a 27% dominator rating at just 19 years old while leading the Aggies in receiving yards in a pandemic-shortened season. He also carried the ball 49 times for 293 yards and 4 TDs as he also started at running back.
Smith sustained his success in his third season but got hurt in 2022. He was also arrested in the summer of 2022 for a DUI, possession of marijuana and unlawful carrying of a weapon. The charges were dropped.
The 5-foot-9 and 190-pound WR bounced back in his final year in 2023, amassing a career-high 795 receiving yards on 53 catches with two TDs (15% dominator rating). His broken tackle per catch (2) ranked second in the 2024 WR class.
He will turn 23 years old this year.
Smith also has experience as a return specialist throughout his entire college career including last season. He had an 82-yard punt return TD in 2023. Led the SEC in punt return yards in 2023.
If all the red flags are behind him, Smith's versatility will surely be attractive to NFL teams given his diverse skill set as a slot WR. Not the fastest guy by any means, but absolutely dynamic in the open field. One team that has met with Smith the most during the pre-draft process is the Philadelphia Eagles.
So no surprise that Howie Roseman got his guy late on Day 3. Given that the Eagles are currently trotting out the injury-prone DeVante Parker and Parris Campbell as the projected No. 3 WRs, I think Smith could crack the starting lineup.

The Philadelphia Eagles have selected Ainias Smith with the 152nd pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Fantasy Impact

Smith was listed as a wide receiver at his draft announcement by the Eagles. He has played both wide receiver and running back in college, so he could be a versatile offensive weapon in many ways. We don't yet know the capacity the Eagles plan to use him, but we will know more once training camp starts.