5 bold Eagles predictions heading into the 2023 NFL Season
By Lior Lampert
Bold Eagles predictions heading into the 2023 NFL season
4. DeVonta Smith outperforms A.J. Brown
The connection between Jalen Hurts and DeVonta Smith only continues to grow stronger dating back to their time together at Alabama, despite the increased competition for targets last year with the addition of stud wide receiver, A.J. Brown.
Despite stiffer target competition in Year 2, DeVonta Smith increased his targets, receptions, yards, touchdowns, catch rate, target share, target rate, yards per route run, red-zone targets, yards after the catch, broken tackle rate, and fantasy output.pic.twitter.com/t6Pn3LaCxc
— Dave Kluge (@DaveKluge) July 11, 2023
A truly special talent, Smith was the first wide receiver to win the Heisman since Desmond Howard did it in 1991. His route running and ability to make contested catches is amongst the league’s best to the point it made future Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive back Richard Sherman realize it was time to retire. Now entering his third season in the NFL, Smith is bound to take the notable third-year leap that plenty of young wide receivers have taken over the years to solidify themselves among the NFL’s best receivers.
While A.J. Brown earned AP Second Team All-Pro honors last season, Smith outperformed him down the stretch of the season. Smith also ran more routes than Brown while boasting similar target shares in the offense. In his second season, Smith totaled 95 receptions to go along with 1,196 yards, and seven touchdowns. In comparison, Brown recorded 88 receptions, 1,496 yards, and 11 touchdowns.
A.J. Brown’s physical traits and stature will always make him a threat to score touchdowns from anywhere on the field, but this season DeVonta Smith will continue to improve and establish himself among the NFL’s best receivers and overtake his All-Pro teammate.