There are some major changes in the Philadelphia Eagles offense this year. After four years (and an equal number of 1,000-yard seasons), A.J. Brown was traded to the New England Patriots.
That move elevates sixth-year veteran DeVonta Smith to the No. 1 wideout spot in Philly, and as Adam Pfeiefer wrote for A Fantasy Life, he has excelled with top-dog status in the past:
“With Brown now in New England, coveted WR1 volume will follow. Over the last three years, Smith has been sporting a 28% TPRR (targets per route run) with Brown off the field, which would easily be his highest TPRR rate over an entire season. Meanwhile, in five games with Brown sidelined since 2022, Smith’s averages are, as you’d expect, strong–9.0 targets, 6.2 receptions, 87.8 receiving yards, 16.2 PPR PPG and 31.4% TPRR.”
A TPPR rate over 30 percent would put Smith toward the top of the league among wide receivers. Over a full season, that 87.8 receiving yards per game would leave him flirting with 1,500 receiving yards. And 16.2 PPR points per game would have put Smith well inside the top 10 among wideouts last year.
Yes, the Eagles drafted rookie Makai Lemon in April, but it’s Smith who should be the unquestioned alpha in the Eagles’ passing game.
Brown finished as a top-five fantasy receiver twice during his time with Philadelphia. Smith will duplicate that feat in 2026.