DeVonta Smith, the rising star of the Philadelphia Eagles, has made significant progress in his second season. According to his teammate Darius Slay, Smith is expected to achieve even greater things in 2023, becoming one of the top wide receivers in the NFL.
However, Slay’s assessment may be a bit ambitious considering that Smith is arguably the second-best wide receiver on the Eagles roster. A.J. Brown, voted as the seventh-best wideout in the NFL, has garnered recognition from a group consisting of coaches, executives, scouts, and players, as orchestrated by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
While Smith did receive an honorable mention, one scout described him as a receiver with excellent understanding of the subtle aspects of the position, displaying exceptional skills. Given his size, Smith needs to rely on technique to win battles at the line of scrimmage, which he does effectively.
Currently at 26 years old, A.J. Brown is still in the prime of his career, making it challenging to determine the best wide receiver on the Eagles’ roster. Having two top-15 players in this position is a testament to the team’s depth and talent.
In retrospect, it’s intriguing to revisit the pre-draft scouting reports of Smith during his time at Alabama. Although regarded as a top-10 prospect, concerns were raised due to his slender frame. His weight ranked in the second percentile, height in the 35th percentile, and hand size in the 39th percentile.
Despite these numbers, the Eagles were not discouraged, especially after witnessing his impressive performance in his final two seasons at Alabama. In 2020, he became the first wide receiver in 29 years to win the Heisman Trophy, a remarkable achievement.
Smith’s transition to the NFL has been smooth thus far. As a rookie, the 24-year-old standout led the team with 916 yards and five touchdowns. Even with the addition of Brown to the receiving corps last offseason, Smith’s production continued to thrive as he recorded 95 receptions, 1,196 yards, and seven touchdowns.
Considering the unique skill sets possessed by both Smith and Brown, it wouldn’t come as a surprise if Smith outperforms Brown in terms of statistics in 2023. Their remarkable abilities complement each other exceptionally well, making them a formidable duo on the field.