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Philadelphia Eagles Devonta Smith
June 27, 2024 By  NFL, Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia Eagles: Wide Receiver Devonta Smith Receives Shocking Ranking

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Devonta Smith played a huge role in the offense a season ago. Smith is the second wide receiver behind A.J. Brown on the team, but they both complement each other well.

He has the talent to be a number one wide receiver option on another team. Smith was the 10th overall pick out of Alabama in the 2021 NFL Draft. He received a contract extension from the Eagles earlier this offseason.

Philadelphia EaglesDevonta Smith
Jan 15, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) runs the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of a 2024 NFC wild card game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

The offensive talent on this roster will be very good for the next few years. Outside of Brown and Smith, however, the receiving core on Philadelphia’s roster is not very deep.

CBS Sports Jordan Dajani Ranks Philadelphia Eagles Wide Reciever Devonta Smith In the Top 20 For Wide Receivers Entering the 2024 NFL Season

Philadelphia EaglesDevonta Smith
Jan 15, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) makes a catch as Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean (35) pursues during the first half of a 2024 NFC wild card game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles wide receiver Devonta Smith was ranked in the Top 20 by CBS Sports Jordan Dajani for the top wide receivers in the NFL entering the 2024 season. He was ranked 18th out of 20 players at the wide receiver position entering this year.

Dajani said:

“The Eagles’ No. 2 wideout would be a No. 1 pass-catcher on another team, as Smith is one of just seven wide receivers to catch 80 passes, record 1,000 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns in each of the past two seasons. He also set a franchise record with 148 receiving yards in the playoff loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in January. As a rookie, Smith caught 64 passes for 916 yards and five touchdowns, setting a franchise record for most receiving yards by a first-year player.”

Devonta Smith last season caught 81 passes for 1,066 yards receiving and seven touchdowns, along with averaging 13.2 yards per catch. He was targeted 112 times last season. Smith could have been a Pro Bowl player last season.

What is interesting about his stats is he was tied for 20th in the NFL in receptions, 20th in the NFL in receiving yards, and tied for 18th in touchdown receptions. In reality, it may feel shocking that he was only ranked 18th on this list, but in reality the stats back it up and it is a very good ranking for Smith in the end.

Philadelphia EaglesDevonta Smith
Dec 31, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) makes a touchdown catch past Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nicholas Morrow (41) during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

There is no doubt that he can have another 1,000-yard receiving year along with A.J. Brown. Smith is a very good receiver, but Brown is more of an elite receiver and has an extra gear to his game.

Avatar of Glenn Kaplan

About Glenn Kaplan

Glenn Kaplan is a sports writer covering all things NFC East related and SEC related on Gridiron Heroics, mainly the New York Giants. He also writes for Wisconsin Sports Heroics.

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