Today on Dynasty Targets, let’s talk about how the 2020 Heisman Trophy Winner, DeVonta Smith, might still be the WR1 in Philadelphia.
Background
Collegiate Career
DeVonta Smith attended the University of Alabama, playing for the Crimson Tide under head coach Nick Saban. Playing for a school like Alabama comes with a ton of pressure to perform well on the field. Luckily, Smith answered the call to action by becoming one of the best receivers the school had ever seen. Smith finished his time in college with 235 receptions, 3965 receiving yards, and 46 receiving touchdowns, currently holding the records for all three stats in school history.
Smith made it clear that he was ready for NFL play. He even went as far as to win the 2020 Heisman Trophy Award. Smith was the first NCAA wide receiver to win the award since Desmond Howard in 1991. He was also one of three Alabama Crimson Tide players to receive this award, joining running backs Derrick Henry and Mark Ingram. Upon entering the 2021 NFL Draft, Smith was selected #10 overall by the Philadelphia Eagles. Smith was the third wide receiver off the board having been picked after Ja’Marr Chase and Alabama teammate Jaylen Waddle.
Rookie Season
The clear cut WR1 in his rookie season with the Philadelphia Eagles, Smith finished the 2021 regular season with 64 receptions, 916 receiving yards and 5 receiving touchdowns, leading the team in all three. According to FantasyData.com, he finished as WR29 in half PPR fantasy football leagues, a solid flex option with some breakout games here and there. Smith’s dynasty value comes from the upside he has with the Eagles. The young wideout was a standout in college and has potential to translate that over into the NFL. He and Quarterback Jalen Hurts look to be one of the better young QB WR duos in the NFL.
Current Situation
A.J. Brown
During the 2022 NFL Draft, the Eagles and the Tennessee Titans made a deal that shook the league. The Eagles gave the Titans the 18th pick and the 101st pick in the draft for star wide receiver A.J. Brown. Brown and Hurts have already established and great relationship with each other. Hurts tried recruiting Brown to play with him at Oklahoma before the wide receiver went and played for Ole Miss. This may have some owners of DeVonta Smith worried that Brown will come into the offense and take away targets.
Grass Ain’t Always Greener
While Brown and Hurts have a great relationship off the field, it may not transfer well on the field. During the 2021 season, Brown averaged a 127.7 NFL passer rating when targeted on the left side of the field, outside the numbers. This included short passes, intermediate passes of 10 to 19 yards, or deep ball passes of 20 or more yards. According to Pro Football Focus, his average PFF score from that side of the field was 92.2. Brown performed above average when receiving the ball on the left side of the field. He seems to like that better than playing in the middle and outside to the right.
Wanna know who doesn’t like throwing to the left side of the field, Jalen Hurts. The Eagles QB had an average NFL passer rating of 66.8 and an average PFF grade of 65.5 when targeting short, intermediate, or deep receivers on the left side of the field, outside the numbers. This is well below the Eagles 2021 team passer rating which was 86.8 according to TeamRankings.com.
Hurts’ preferred throwing spots are anywhere in between the numbers as well as short and intermediate passes outside the numbers on the right side of the field. He has an average NFL passer rating of 108.8 in those areas. Coincidentally, these were significantly worse areas for Brown last season. He averaged an 80.2 NFL passer rating when targeted in these areas.
Outlook
DeVonta Smith Eagles WR1?
Between both A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, Smith is the only one who shares similar target preferences to Jalen Hurts. During his rookie season, Smith averaged a PFF grade of 72.8 and a 53.9 NFL passer rating when targeted left of the numbers, Hurts’ weak spots. But, when he was targeted in Hurts’ preferred throwing areas, Smith averaged 91.4 PFF grade and a 120.9 NFL passer rating.
Smith clearly is more familiar with the offense than Brown and it may be difficult for the former Titan to adjust with his previous tendencies. Maybe things will change at the beginning of the 2022 season but with all things considered, DeVonta Smith feels like the much safer option in Dynasty leagues.
Price Range
Remember that every league has different values for different players, make sure to assess the trends and needs of teams in your fantasy leagues. In terms of acquiring DeVonta Smith in your dynasty league, he is currently going for 2nd and 3rd tier players like TJ Hockenson and AJ Dillon, according to trades posted on DynastyLeagueFootball.com.
His asking price isn’t too high to give up valuable players but not too low to warrant concern. FantasyPros has Smith as the WR23 in dynasty leagues which could be a solid end of 4th or early 5th round pick. This is a great spot for Smith who has the potential to be a top 10 receiver in the NFL.
Thanks for checking out our Dynasty Target article on DeVonta Smith. Over the course of the summer make sure to click here for more Dynasty Target articles discussing players for you to acquire this season!
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