Who Should I Start? DeVonta Smith or Ricky Pearsall

Monday, March 2, 1:55 PM

The Athletic's Zach Berman writes that "there's an internal sentiment" among the Philadelphia Eagles that wide receiver DeVonta Smith "has another level he can reach," regardless of what happens with fellow wideout A.J. Brown. Smith's 113 targets in 2025 were the second-most of his career, and they still ranked 22nd in the NFL. Since entering the NFL in 2021 as a first-rounder (10th overall) out of Alabama, the 27-year-old is 77th in targets per route and 10th in receiving yards per target. Berman goes on to write that the Eagles' new scheme "must find ways to highlight Smith and diversify his routes." The easiest path to a potential breakout in 2026 is if the Eagles trade Brown. That would give Smith a clear path to WR1 duties in a new offense in Philadelphia with potentially even more targets from quarterback Jalen Hurts. If Brown stays with the Eagles, Smith will still be a fine fantasy target, but more of a boom/bust one.