Who Should I Start? Saquon Barkley or DeVonta Smith

Monday, March 11, 2:57 PM

Free-agent running back Saquon Barkley is signing with the Philadelphia Eagles on a three-year, $37.75 million deal. The deal includes $26 million in guaranteed money and has an additional $9 million available in incentives. After a 2018 rookie season that saw the former Penn State star go for over 2,000 yards from scrimmage and 15 touchdowns, he has struggled to stay healthy over a chunk of the next five years of his career. He missed 21 games from 2019 to 2021. He bounced back in 2022 with 1,312 rushing yards but regressed to 962 yards in 14 games in 2023. However, the Eagles believe in him as a game-changing running back, as his average salary ($12.58 million) ranks only below Christian McCaffrey, Alvin Kamara, and Jonathan Taylor. Although the Eagles' offensive line could take a hit after the retirement of Jason Kelce, Barkley should be playing behind the best offensive line of his career in 2024. He will have an immediate high-end RB1 upside in fantasy football.

Monday, April 15, 10:50 AM

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith has agreed to a three-year $75 million contract extension that includes $51 million in guaranteed money. The organization also picked up his fifth-year option, so he is now under contract through the 2028 NFL season. Despite playing alongside All-Pro wideout A.J. Brown, Smith has been spectacular since entering the league in 2021. The former Heisman Trophy winner has racked up 240 receptions for 3,178 yards and 19 touchdowns through his first three pro campaigns. Smith is just 25 years old, so he should be in the thick of his prime through the duration of his new contract. He remains a WR2 in fantasy football moving forward.