The phenomenal 2024 Philadelphia Eagles team just won the franchise's second Super Bowl championship ever. Now, the stakes are even higher for the title to be successfully defended, and, as many teams in such a position have proven in the past, this is not an easy task.
This ring-winning Philly squad had many avid heroes on the offensive side of the ball. At the forefront, of course, was running back Saquon Barkley, who posted over 2,000 yards and almost broke the all-time single-season NFL record. There also was star WR A.J. Brown who, it seemed, carried the air raid almost single-handedly at times. Not of lesser importance was the offensive line, one of the most experienced in professional football and the main catalyst supporting Barkley on the ground. Even QB Jalen Hurts was solid enough not to hold his teammates back.
There, however, were some contributors whose names were not highlighted as often. One of them was receiver DeVonta Smith. Even though the Alabama alumnus often suffered from remaining in Brown's shadow, he had a strong year. What's more, the high expectations for him might suggest that his ceiling is yet higher, indicating Smith could be one of the standouts on the 2025 Eagles roster.
Performance and Role in 2024
In 2024, DeVonta Smith had his least productive in the NFL, but there were a couple of catches (pun intended) here. Most importantly, he missed four games during the regular season due to various injuries. For comparison, he started at least 16 games in all three campaigns previously in his career. Moreover, Smith wasn't a second-choice wide receiver in 2021 - he only settled into that role after general manager Howie Roseman traded for A.J. Brown in 2022.
Smith was considered a WR2 behind Brown both heading into the season and, for the most part, as it progressed. However, a more in-depth look at his 2024 workload paints a more nuanced picture.
With both pass-catchers playing 13 games, the 2021 draft pick had one reception more despite being targeted 8 times fewer. Additionally, he was also on a 17-game pace for over 1,000 yards, which would have been his third year in a row surpassing that threshold.
The result of those impressive levels of efficiency was Smith having a much higher catch percentage - 76.4% to Brown's 69.1%. Granted, that was heavily influenced by the Louisiana native being used for intermediate yardage gains, averaging 4 yards less per catch than the former Titan.
Yet, DeVonta was a nightmare for defensive backs of all calibers across the NFL and proved his value in a year that, had he remained fully healthy, would have become the second-best of his professional tenure thus far.
Impact on 2025 Eagles Offense
With all skill-position assets of the Eagles offensive unit staying put until at least 2026 - Hurts, Barkley, Brown, and Smith himself - it is difficult to imagine DeVonta Smith's role within the air attack would change significantly. He will likely remain a receiver who, even if slightly trailing A.J. Brown in leading the corps, is set to have an identical workload as the Mississippi native. Furthermore, one can expect Smith to register increased figures relative to not just his fellow pass-catchers but also his career-bests as he enters the prime years of his pro stint (should he stay healthy).
On another note, some offseason moves could see a boost in his efficiency come from the outside. As already noted, the O-Line is one of the most respected in the league. However, it is not without its challenges this spring. Starting right guard Melkhi Becton is bound to see his contract expire. Although the former Jets draftee has already vocally expressed his interest in remaining in Philadelphia, an alternative timeline of events could see him hit the free-agent market, where he would likely see inquiries by many teams other than Philly.
This might sound like a negative possibility for a player who is indirectly dependent on his passer’s pocket but it could, in fact, benefit everyone involved in the passing game. As previously discussed, the Eagles line in general, and Becton in particular, are not as focused on, and therefore not as prolific in, pass protection. For instance, per Pro Football Focus, Mekhi ranks 19th amongst all NFL guards in run blocking but merely 60th in pass blocking.
Replacing him with a lineman with better pass-blocking abilities might well damage Barkley's productivity but it will, at his expense, provide a boost to the passing offense, with Brown, Smith, and No.1 tight end Dallas Goedert jumping out as main beneficiaries.
Final Thoughts
As already demonstrated, DeVonta Smith, heading into his fifth season in the National Football League, if he manages to participate in the full slate of games, should not only replicate his on-pace near-highs from 2024 but even surpass them. That is even if the Philadelphia Eagles stick with Becton at RG as both Smith and Brown have proven they are capable of overcoming the flaws of Hurts and his offensive line.
Teodor Tsenov is an aspiring sportswriter and a HBO Bachelor of Arts graduate in International Sports Management at The Hague University of Applied Sciences in The Hague, the Netherlands. Moreover, he has previously covered NFL, MLB, the New York Jets and the Miami Marlins for Franchise Sports (UK) and Overtime Heroics (USA). You can reach out to him on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram, and via email tedogoshov@gmail.com.
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