The Eagles selected Texas A&M wide receiver Ainias Smith with one of their three fifth-round picks (No. 152 overall) in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Here are five things to know about Smith, who signed his four-year rookie contract on Monday:
1. Smith is the only 2,000-yard receiver in SEC history to collect at least 250 yards on rush attempts, punt returns, and kickoff returns.
“His ability to run after the catch. His ability to get in and out of breaks. I think he is extremely tough,” said Head Coach Nick Sirianni. “I love that about him. That’s really what sticks out. Catches the ball really well.
“Those are the things that really stick out. It’s going to be fun to see how we can get him the football and different ways that he can contribute both on special teams and on offense.”
2. According to Pro Football Focus, Smith caught 94.7 percent of the catchable targets in his direction last season, which was one of the highest marks in the class and ranks in the 92nd percentile of all receivers drafted in the last decade.
3. The Missouri City, Texas native scored 25 touchdowns in 50 games at Texas A&M (19 receiving, four rushing, and two punt returns).
4. Smith played 351 snaps on A&M’s “core four” special teams units (kickoff, kickoff return, punt, and punt return) over the course of his career, one of the highest numbers at receiver in the last 10 drafts.
5. Smith’s dad, Maurice Sr., was a defensive back and wide receiver in the CFL and Arena League and his brother, Maurice II, was a defensive back for three seasons in the NFL with Miami and Washington.