Green Dot Sports

Written By: Logan Farren with Green Dot Sports, May 4th, 2026

As trade rumors continue to swirl around A.J. Brown and fans grow captivated by the explosive potential of rookie Makai Lemon, one man’s place in the hearts of Eagles fans remains unquestioned. DeVonta Smith isn’t just a dynamic playmaker on the field; he has become a cultural icon off of it. Now, as the 2026 season approaches, ‘Smitty’ is primed for a massive breakout.

On April 14th, Yahoo Sports published a feature discussing why Smith is due for a ‘Jaxson Smith-Njigba style’ leap this year. We just saw this blueprint work to perfection in Seattle: trade the ‘big guy with an attitude’ (DK Metcalf), let the ‘quiet guy’ eat (Jaxon Smith-Njigba), and hoist a Lombardi Trophy. If the Eagles follow in the Seahawks’ footsteps, Smith is the clear option who is next in line to really shine in Philadelphia. Before we witness that evolution, let’s first take a look at what the 27-year-old has already accomplished in his promising young career.

“The Eagles believe DeVonta Smith can make a Jaxon Smith-Njigba type of leap if the team moves on from A.J. Brown.”

-Reported quote from the Eagles front office via PhillyVoice

axon Smith-Njigba didn’t just have a “leap” in 2025; he led the NFL with 1,793 receiving yards and won Offensive Player of the Year. The Philadelphia Eagles believe that without the target-share demands of a receiver like A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith could blow their offense wide open. When a team uses an 1,800-yard receiver as a ceiling reference, it’s time to pay attention.

Not only does the coaching staff speak highly of the star-studded Alabama alum, but his teammates also see him as a leader to turn to in big moments. Last year, Smith had a breakout game during Week 7 in Minnesota, racking up nine catches for 183 yards and a touchdown. When you watch the film of that game, it is very “Njigba-esque”. It’s full of reliable possession catches and the elite ability to take the top off the defense for an explosive play.

“Shit I mean… hell of a player, he’s a hell of a player. He’s been doing it for a while too, since college.”

–Jalen Hurts when asked about the talents DeVonta Smith has.

And a hell of a player he is. In just five seasons in the NFL, Smith has already racked up 5,019 yards (13.0 yards per reception) and 31 touchdowns on 385 receptions. To put that in perspective, consider how Smith’s numbers through his first five years compare to another legendary, undersized Philly icon: DeSean Jackson.

Smith’s name has been linked to Jackson’s since 2021, when he broke DeSean’s franchise rookie receiving record. While Jackson’s record stood for 13 years, Smith broke it while recording 16 fewer receptions. Through their respective first five seasons, the statistical parallels are eerily similar:

• 2008-2012:

  DeSean Jackson has 4,785 (17.5 yards per reception), 23 touchdowns, 274 receptions.

  2x Pro Bowler, 1x All-Pro 2nd team, 1x All-Pro 1st team.

• 2013-2021:

  DeSean Jackson plays for 6 different teams (including another 2-year stint in Philadelphia) until he retires in 2022.

  DeVonta Smith drafted with the 10th overall pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft.

• 2021-Present

  DeVonta Smith has 5,019 yards (13.0 yards per reception), 31 touchdowns, 385 receptions.

  DeSean Jackson joins Eagles coaching staff in 2024 as wide receiver mentor.

DeSean Jackson, who joined the Eagles coaching staff in 2024 as a wide receiver mentor, has already spent extensive time working with both Smith and rookie Makai Lemon. Jackson frequently commends Smith’s “play strength,” noting that despite his lean frame, he consistently plays like the biggest man on the field. Earning that level of respect from a Philly legend is no small feat.

While Jackson has the individual accolades, Smith has achieved the one thing that eluded DeSean in Philly: A Super Bowl ring. With 169 yards and a touchdown across two Super Bowl appearances, “Smitty” has proven he is a big-game hunter. That postseason resume, combined with his record-breaking consistency, has already cemented his status as a franchise icon.

DeVonta Smith is the rare “show up and go to work” superstar. He has outperformed the legends who came before him, earned the respect of the locker room, and delivered when the lights were brightest. As the 2026 season nears, the stage is officially set. Whether the Eagles move on from A.J. Brown or not, DeVonta Smith is ready to take the leap that everyone, from the front office to the nosebleeds, has been waiting for.