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DeVonta Smith 2021 Outlook: The Clear-Cut WR1 in Philadelphia
It's rare that a wide receiver gets drafted and immediately steps into a WR1 role. That's exactly what Heisman-winner DeVonta Smith will be during his rookie season in Philadelphia. Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson are gone, and it's only a matter of time before Zach Ertz is traded. The Eagles' top two wide receivers in 2020 were sixth-round pick Travis Fulgham and UDFA Greg Ward. Together they combined to see 146 targets. The team drafted Jalen Reagor in the first round a season ago, but he projects as more of a complementary WR2-type. While QB Jalen Hurts is sure to run the ball a fair share, don't forget he attempted 37.7 passes in his first three full games as a starter. Only 10 other teams threw the ball more on a per-game basis a season ago. Reagor and Dallas Goedert are the only two pass-catchers other than Smith guaranteed to see significant targets this season. The former Alabama product could very well be walking into a 20% target share his rookie season, which would put project him at around 125 targets. That's the same number of targets Justin Jefferson saw his rookie season in Minnesota, and he put up 88 receptions for 1,400 yards and seven touchdowns on his way to becoming the overall WR6 in 2020. DeVonta Smith's upside is massive if he can develop early chemistry with Jalen Hurts.
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