Should I Start DeVonta Smith?

Saturday, April 25, 5:40 AM

For the first time since his 2021 rookie year, Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith is expected to go into a season without three-time Pro Bowl receiver A.J. Brown lined up opposite him. While Brown's 8.4 vacated targets per game from the past four seasons could create opportunities for a career year from Smith, the first two days of the NFL Draft have completely reshaped Philadelphia's pass-catching depth chart. After acquiring Marquise Brown through free agency and Dontayvion Wicks via trade, the Eagles spent respective first and second-round picks on USC receiver Makai Lemon and Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers, both of whom led their teams in targets in 2025. In a year where quarterback Jalen Hurts is being counted on to take a step forward, Philadelphia is likely to see a more even distribution of targets, but given his skillset and time in the system, Smith should still be able to hold off all challengers to continue earning targets at an elite level. After leading the team in all receiving categories as a rookie, Smith's response to the addition of Brown via trade from the Titans was to put up the best season of his career, with 110 receptions for 1,393 yards and eight touchdowns in 2022. At 27 years old, if he can respond similarly to a new challenge in 2026, he would be a steal as RotoBaller's dynasty WR28.