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Former Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver DeVonta Smith has quietly been one of the better wide receivers in the NFL ever since entering the league as the 10th overall pick of the Philadelphia Eagles back in 2021.
Smith has posted three 1,000-yard campaigns over his first five professional seasons, most recently hauling in 77 receptions for 1,008 yards and four touchdowns. He also helped lead the Eagles to a Super Bowl title during the 2024-25 campaign.
But there is a catch to everything Smith has achieved: he hasn't been a No. 1 receiver.
Outside of his rookie campaign in 2021, when Smith led Philadelphia in both catches and receiving yards, Smith has been Philly's No. 2 receiver behind A.J. Brown. Brown wasn't around for Smith's debut season, but the Eagles acquired him via trade with the Tennessee Titans that ensuing offseason.
Brown's presence made life considerably easier for Smith, who broke out with 1,196 yards during his second year in the league.
But now, Brown is gone, as Philadelphia traded the star wide out to the New England Patriots last month.
Smith is now clearly the top dog in a wide receiver room that also includes Marquise Brown, Dontayvion Wicks, Elijah Moore and first-round rookie Makai Lemon.
How will the Alabama product respond?
Philadelphia Eagles receiver DeVonta Smith. Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images.
We know how dominant Smith was with the Crimson Tide. He spent four years in Tuscaloosa between 2017 and 2020, winning the Heisman Trophy during his final season after snaring 117 balls for 1,856 yards and 23 scores. He led the country in all three categories and guided Alabama to a national championship.
Smith was so special during his last year at 'Bama, in fact, that he became the first wide receiver to win the Heisman since Desmond Howard in 1991. He also became just the fourth receiver to ever capture the award ... unless you count Colorado's Travis Hunter, who became the fifth as a two-way player in 2024.
Nevertheless, Smith was thoroughly dominant for the Tide, and while he hasn't been quite as electrifying in the pros, it's also fair to say he hasn't had the opportunity.
Brown had gotten most of the shine in Philadelphia, and if we're being honest, Smith's former Alabama teammate, quarterback Jalen Hurts, has not exactly done the best job of consistently putting the ball where it needs to be for the Eagles.
But perhaps 2026 is the year Smith finally breaks out and makes his first Pro Bowl? He should certainly be getting a lot of attention now that Brown is gone, and he will have to make the most of it.
One thing is for sure: Smith is under intense pressure heading into his sixth NFL season, more pressure than he has ever experienced since being drafted.
We'll see if the 27-year-old lives up to it.
Bama Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Alabama Crimson Tide. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.
Continue reading...
Smith has posted three 1,000-yard campaigns over his first five professional seasons, most recently hauling in 77 receptions for 1,008 yards and four touchdowns. He also helped lead the Eagles to a Super Bowl title during the 2024-25 campaign.
But there is a catch to everything Smith has achieved: he hasn't been a No. 1 receiver.
Outside of his rookie campaign in 2021, when Smith led Philadelphia in both catches and receiving yards, Smith has been Philly's No. 2 receiver behind A.J. Brown. Brown wasn't around for Smith's debut season, but the Eagles acquired him via trade with the Tennessee Titans that ensuing offseason.
Brown's presence made life considerably easier for Smith, who broke out with 1,196 yards during his second year in the league.
But now, Brown is gone, as Philadelphia traded the star wide out to the New England Patriots last month.
Smith is now clearly the top dog in a wide receiver room that also includes Marquise Brown, Dontayvion Wicks, Elijah Moore and first-round rookie Makai Lemon.
How will the Alabama product respond?
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Philadelphia Eagles receiver DeVonta Smith. Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images.
We know how dominant Smith was with the Crimson Tide. He spent four years in Tuscaloosa between 2017 and 2020, winning the Heisman Trophy during his final season after snaring 117 balls for 1,856 yards and 23 scores. He led the country in all three categories and guided Alabama to a national championship.
Smith was so special during his last year at 'Bama, in fact, that he became the first wide receiver to win the Heisman since Desmond Howard in 1991. He also became just the fourth receiver to ever capture the award ... unless you count Colorado's Travis Hunter, who became the fifth as a two-way player in 2024.
Nevertheless, Smith was thoroughly dominant for the Tide, and while he hasn't been quite as electrifying in the pros, it's also fair to say he hasn't had the opportunity.
Brown had gotten most of the shine in Philadelphia, and if we're being honest, Smith's former Alabama teammate, quarterback Jalen Hurts, has not exactly done the best job of consistently putting the ball where it needs to be for the Eagles.
But perhaps 2026 is the year Smith finally breaks out and makes his first Pro Bowl? He should certainly be getting a lot of attention now that Brown is gone, and he will have to make the most of it.
One thing is for sure: Smith is under intense pressure heading into his sixth NFL season, more pressure than he has ever experienced since being drafted.
We'll see if the 27-year-old lives up to it.
Bama Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Alabama Crimson Tide. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.
Continue reading...
