Eagles' DeVonta Smith Showed Superstar Strides vs. Vikings
Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay said during Training Camp that "it ain't gonna be much longer" before DeVonta Smith was seen as the best receiver in the NFL. Perhaps the follow-up question to Slay should have been asking him the lottery numbers, because so far, his prediction of Smith exploding in 2023 looks genius.
Selected with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Smith had an excellent first two seasons for the Eagles, racking up over 2,100 receiving yards. But the 24-year-old appears to have taken another step forward early in his third season.
His statline of seven catches for 47 yards in the team's Week 1 victory over the New England Patriots may not jump off of the page, but in a game where the Eagles only threw for 154 yards, his five-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter proved crucial in securing a season-opening win.
And in Week 2, Smith was a game-changer in a 34-28 win against the Minnesota Vikings at home on Thursday night.
Had quarterback Jalen Hurts been able to lead him more, Smith would have had a 61-yard touchdown catch on the first offensive drive of the game. Instead, Smith had to come back for the ball, which was no problem for a player who is the definition of playing bigger than his size. Against the franchise that Hall of Famer Randy Moss spent the bulk of his career with, Smith "Mossed" safety Theo Jackson for a 54-yard reception.
Early in the third quarter, Smith would once again break free, and Hurts connected with him in stride this time for a 63-yard touchdown.
Smith would finish the game with four catches for 131 yards, averaging 32.8 yards per reception, a ratio that would make DeSean Jackson proud. And mind you, though Smith finished the game with one touchdown, he very easily could have had a second.
When paired with the best rushing performance of D'Andre Swift's NFL career, Smith's performance was enough to help the Eagles pull off the win and move to 2-0.
DeVonta Smith had an excellent Week 2 performance.
© Bill Streicher, USA TODAY
There are other mouths to feed on a more consistent basis in Philadelphia's offense. Tight end Dallas Goedert was held without a catch in Week 1, and was underwhelming with six catches for 22 yards in Week 2. Receiver A.J. Brown appeared to have a mild disagreement with Hurts on the sideline during the third quarter of Thursday evening's game, and offensive coordinator Brian Johnson would be wise to make sure he leaves the team's Week 3 tilt feeling satisfied with his role.
But the Eagles passing offense has hardly hit their stride through the first two weeks. When it does, it will be scary, especially if Thursday was an indication of the level that Smith is going to play at this season.
