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Devonta Smith

Eagles, DeVonta Smith Agree To Extension

April 15th, 2024 at 10:06pm CST by Adam La Rose

A recent report indicated the Eagles were nearing an agreement with DeVonta Smith, and the parties have indeed worked out an extension. The fourth-year receiver has a lucrative second contract in place.

Smith has landed a three-year, $75MM extension, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. He adds that the pact – which the team has since announced – includes $51MM guaranteed. Smith will now be under contract through 2028 as a result of this agreement, the first agreed to with a former first-rounder still under team control for two more years.

This deal includes $38.1MM guaranteed at signing, with Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio indicating the Eagles are giving Smith a $20.4MM signing bonus and guaranteeing his 2024 and ’25 base salaries ($1.1MM, $1.2MM). A 2025 option bonus worth $11.4MM represents the other chunk of the at-signing sum. The Eagles are also sweetening the pot via a year-out guarantee for 2026. Smith’s 2026 base ($13.3MM) becomes fully guaranteed in March 2025, per Florio, giving the slender wideout a practical guarantee of $51.4MM.

The 25-year-old’s fifth-year option (valued at $15.59MM) has been exercised, Rapoport notes. That comes as no surprise, but the fact that decision would have left the Eagles with plenty of time to negotiate meant the team did not face much urgency with respect to hammering out an agreement. In spite of that, optimism was high as of last week that a pact could be worked out in short order. That has proven to be the case, and a key member of Philadelphia’s offense is now on the books for the foreseeable future.

The Eagles, of course, have a number of lucrative deals already in place on offense. That group (which features the likes of quarterback Jalen Hurts, guard Landon Dickerson and left tackle Jordan Mailata) also includes wideout A.J. Brown. The latter has operated as Philadelphia’s No. 1 wideout since his arrival, which was accompanied by a four-year, $100MM deal. Smith’s extension carries an identical annual average value – and, when factoring in the fifth-year option, he is in line to receive just over $90MM from 2025-28.

While Smith has not matched Brown’s production to date, the former Heisman winner has been a key cog in the Eagles’ passing attack. He also profiles as one of the ascending receivers due to land massive extensions in the immediate future, and Philadelphia has gotten ahead of teams like the Vikings (Justin Jefferson), Cowboys (CeeDee Lamb), Bengals (Tee Higgins) and 49ers (Brandon Aiyuk) in working out the next big-money deal at the position. For now, Smith will move into a tie for fourth in the league in terms of AAV amongst receivers. Each of the other four pass-catchers are due new deals soon, though, and they could surpass that figure as the cap continues to rise.

Smith had a strong season as a rookie, recording 916 yards and five touchdowns. Brown’s arrival did not lead to a drop-off in production for the Alabama product; rather, Smith has taken a step forward with 95- and 81-catch campaigns over the past two years. He has posted over 1,000 yards in both cases, scoring seven touchdowns each time. After facing concerns about his frame entering the league, Smith has missed just one game to date.

The 2024 season will see Kellen Moore take over as the Eagles’ offensive coordinator. Philadelphia’s offense took a step back during the team’s late-season collapse, and a rebound in efficiency would help avoid a repeat of those struggles. Smith will be a central figure in that effort, and his ability to remain a productive complement to Brown will go a long way in determining the effectiveness of this lucrative commitment.

Eagles, DeVonta Smith Discussing Extension

April 10th, 2024 at 10:30pm CST by Sam Robinson

Extending A.J. Brown upon trading for him during the 2022 draft, the Eagles paired that contract with DeVonta Smith‘s rookie deal for two seasons. Philadelphia now appears prepared to have two highly paid receivers.

The Eagles have begun extension discussions with Smith, ESPN.com’s Tim McManus reports. This could be challenging, as the team has Jalen Hurts on a top-market QB deal as well. The team also recently re-upped Landon Dickerson on a guard-record pact and reached a third contract agreement with Jordan Mailata, pairing with Lane Johnson‘s deal — one that leads the right tackle market.

But Smith has become a key performer for an Eagles team that had struggled with homegrown receiver investments prior to the 2021 draft, helping lead to the Brown trade. While the Eagles have time with Smith — thanks to the fifth-year option — they have been proactive with other players on the extension front. Optimism exists a deal will be completed in the near future, McManus adds.

Philly’s cap sheet makes Smith extension talks fascinating. The team has been good at managing its payroll, with restructures and void years regularly coming into play to help Howie Roseman‘s club afford some of the high-priced talent brought in. But this many upper-crust deals on one offense would be an interesting NFL roster-building chapter.

Even with their bevy of high-end contracts on offense — Dallas Goedert‘s and Saquon Barkley‘s included — the Eagles sit fourth in the NFL in cap space, holding just more than $30MM. The team packed in seven void years on Hurts’ deal, keeping the cap hits at a manageable level in the near future. The QB is only attached to $13.5MM and $21.7MM cap numbers in 2024 and ’25. That stands to help the Eagles afford some of their recent extensions. But teams do not make a habit of rolling out two big-ticket receiver deals, and what the Eagles would be aiming to do would surpass where the Chargers and Buccaneers have gone recently. A Smith extension now would also break new ground due to the terms of his rookie contract.

Since the 2011 CBA introduced the fifth-year option, 10 offseasons have brought May deadlines attached to first-rounders’ contracts. In that span, no team has authorized an extension for a rookie-deal wide receiver with two seasons of club control remaining. Through the option, the Eagles can keep Smith on his rookie contract through 2025. That buys them some time, leverage-wise, and the likes of Justin Jefferson and CeeDee Lamb played four seasons on their rookie deals. Because Jefferson and Lamb did so, the receiver market looks set for another spike.

Both players are going into their fifth-year option seasons, and each is in position to break Tyreek Hill‘s receiver AAV record ($30MM). Each could do so by a notable margin as well. With Ja’Marr Chase ticketed for a record-setting deal in 2025 (in all likelihood), the Eagles — who have been early on extensions for O-linemen and QBs, with Carson Wentz being re-upped ahead of Year 4 back in 2019, under Roseman — may be motivated to strike early here.

Smith, 25, does not have a case to land a record-setting contract. Although the slender Eagles pass catcher has put together back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, he is not the No. 1 receiver on his own team. Brown broke a longstanding Eagles single-season receiving yards record in 2022; he is attached to a $25MM-per-year extension. The Brown-Smith tandem has crossed the 1,000-1,000 barrier in each of its two seasons together.

With the salary cap ballooning at a record rate this year, though, players are cashing in. This represents good news for this wideout crop, though it will be interesting to see where the Eagles are comfortable going for the 2020 Heisman winner.

Eagles WR DeVonta Smith Suffers High Ankle Sprain

January 1st, 2024 at 4:40pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Eagles’ chances of winning the NFC East were dealt a major blow on Sunday when they suffered an upset loss to the Cardinals. Philadelphia also has a notable injury situation to monitor ahead of Week 18 and the start of the postseason.

Wideout DeVonta Smith was in a walking boot when exiting yesterday’s game while dealing with what was initially determined as a high ankle sprain. While confirming the nature of the injury, head coach Nick Sirianni also said Smith is still wearing a walking boot and using crutches. No firm declarations have been made either way with respect to his game status, but that development certainly does not bode well.

Unless the Cowboys fail to beat the Commanders during the final day of regular season play, the Eagles will be locked into the fifth seed in the NFC playoff bracket. As a result, Sirianni admitted decisions will need to be made regarding whether or not the team’s starters should be rested. Smith’s central nature to the Eagles’ passing attack qualifies him as a key player for their playoff matchup, so a cautious approach would come as little surprise.

Still, missing the former Heisman winner would deal a blow to Philadelphia’s offense in the event the team opted to play its starters against the Giants on Sunday. Smith has had another impressive season working in tandem with A.J. Brown, posting a strong statline (81-1,066-7). New career highs in yards and touchdowns could be within reach if he were to play, but Sirianni said “we’ll see” when asked about the 25-year-old’s ability to suit up (h/t Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports).

A win over New York would keep Philadelphia in contention for the No. 2 seed in the conference; it would also help generate momentum heading into the postseason for a team which has lost four of its last five games. The defending NFC champions have experienced signficant issues on the defensive side of the ball in recent weeks in particular, but their offense would be notably shorthanded in the postseason if Smith were unable to play. His status will be worth watching over the coming days.

DeVonta Smith Expected To Be Giants Draftee In 2021

February 9th, 2023 at 9:39am CST by Sam Robinson

Pre-draft rumors played a significant role in three NFC East franchises’ decisions during the 2021 first round. The Cowboys ended up helping the Eagles move up for DeVonta Smith, sliding back from No. 10 to No. 12 (where Micah Parsons awaited).

The Giants’ interest in the Alabama wide receiver was going to lead to a draft choice. A post-draft report indicated as such, with the Eagles move to outflank their rivals throwing the Giants’ draft off axis for a bit. Coming off a dominant senior season that produced a Heisman Trophy, Smith expected to be a Giant.

“I knew it was going to be New York,” Smith said, via the New York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy. “If Philly didn’t trade up, I was going to be in New York. It was kind of a no-brainer. People on the coaching staff were on the coaching staff at Alabama when I was there or getting recruited, so that’s how I knew it.”

Joe Judge had spent time on Nick Saban‘s staff, though that came well before Smith’s Tuscaloosa arrival, though Dunleavy notes then-Giants staffers Burton Burns, Rob Sale, Jeremy Pruitt and others had worked for Alabama previously. Although the Giants had doled out an $18MM-per-year contract to Kenny Golladay in March 2021, they were prepared to add Smith.

The Eagles moving up led their rivals to trade down — via the Bears’ climb up to take Justin Fields at No. 11 — and select less proven prospect Kadarius Toney. The Florida wideout came with some red flags, and the current Giants staff’s concerns led to a quick give-up maneuver. The Giants collected a conditional third and a sixth-rounder for Toney, whose latest injury leaves him tentatively on track to face Smith’s Eagles in Super Bowl LVII. Injuries and off-field concerns prompted the pre-deadline swap. Golladay will soon be a cap casualty, having been demoted early in Brian Daboll‘s tenure, while Darius Slayton and Sterling Shepard are on track for free agency. Less than two years after the Smith near-miss, the Giants are close to square one at wide receiver. They are planning to pursue free agents at the position this year and will likely be in the market for another college prospect.

Smith took a step forward in his second season, catching 95 passes for 1,196 yards and seven touchdowns. Despite his slender frame, Smith has not missed a game yet as a pro. The Eagles have the second-year playmaker under contract through 2024, and it represents a good bet the deal will extend through 2025 via the fifth-year option. Smith’s rookie contract pairs with A.J. Brown‘s $25MM-per-year extension. These moves transformed an Eagles position group previously weakened by veteran injuries and draft misses on Jalen Reagor and JJ Arcega-Whiteside.

Alamaba WR Jameson Williams Declares For Draft

January 13th, 2022 at 10:08pm CST by Ely Allen

Jameson Williams is going pro. The junior wide receiver made the announcement on his Instagram account early this afternoon, joining Evan Neal as the second Crimson Tide underclassman so far to declare for the 2022 NFL Draft.

Williams leaves the ranks of college football having lost two consecutive national championship games: one as a Buckeye in the 2020 season and one as a member of the Crimson Tide this year. Williams initially signed with Ohio State in 2019 but was starved for targets behind fellow first-round hopefuls Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson.

The change of scenery was a smart move for Williams as he went on the have the second-best receiving season for an Alabama receiver since Amari Cooper, behind only Heisman Trophy winner Devonta Smith. Williams finished fifth in the nation with 1,572 receiving yards and tied for third in the nation with 15 receiving touchdowns. Williams has length and speed to dominate at the next level.

There is a bit of a hurdle for Williams as he tore his ACL in the Tide’s National Championship Game versus Georgia. The injury rang a familiar unpleasant tone with Alabama fans as they saw a similarly timed injury sideline their number-two receiver John Metchie III in the team’s SEC Championship Game against Georgia.

Williams was projected as an extremely high draft pick before the injury. While the potential threat of having to sit out his entire rookie season won’t do anything to help the 20-year old’s draft stock, whichever team takes a chance on Williams will have a do-it-all receiver who can win the jump balls, go deep, and return kicks. We shouldn’t be waiting too long to hear his name.

NFC East Notes: Parsons, McAdoo, Giants

December 1st, 2021 at 10:06pm CST by Ben Levine

The Cowboys are more than happy that they landed on linebacker Micah Parsons with the 12th-overall pick in this year’s draft. Parsons has started each of his 11 games for Dallas, collecting 67 tackles, nine sacks, and two forced fumbles, and he’s the runaway favorite to win Defensive Rookie of the Year. However, if the Cowboys had had their way, they would have used their selection on a cornerback.

As Jon Machota of The Athletic writes, the team’s “original plan” was to select either South Carolina’s Jaycee Horn or Alabama’s Patrick Surtain II. However, those cornerbacks were scooped up at No. 8 and No. 9 respectively, forcing the front office to pivot. They ended up landing on the Penn State linebacker (after trading down), and the organization couldn’t be happier with how it all turned out.

Parsons explained to Machota how he continues to improve throughout his first season in the NFL.

“People always talk about the rookie wall,” Parsons said, “but I just keep climbing and climbing because I’m excited to see what’s on the other side of that wall.

“I love what we have here. I’m just so honored and blessed to represent the star and have an opportunity to be a star here.”

Some more notes out of the NFC East…

  • The Cowboys are dealing with COVID-19 cases throughout their staff, so they’ll be temporarily promoting Ben McAdoo to a coaching role, tweets NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. McAdoo, who had been serving as a “consultant to the coaches” in Dallas, will be in the coaches booth for tomorrow’s game against the Saints. The 44-year-old spent two years as the Giants head coach between 2016 and 2017, and he returned to the NFL last season when he was hired as the Jaguars QBs coach.
  • Guess who else liked Horn and Surtain? The Giants, according to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post, but the Eagles’ decision to trade up (with the Cowboys, no less) to select wideout DeVonta Smith was the move that really threw New York’s draft into disarray. With the organization’s targets off the board, the team ultimately decided to trade with the Bears, with the Giants selecting wideout Kadarius Toney at No. 20.
  • Another Cowboys/Giants connection: Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.tv writes that the Joe Judge/Jason Garrett pairing in New York was always an “arranged marriage.” Co-owner John Mara was the one who pushed to add Garrett as the team’s offensive coordinator, and the former Cowboys head coach was an “outlier” on a staff that generally had connections to their head coach. Garrett was ultimately canned by Judge and the Giants in late November after the team had collected a league-low 42 touchdowns.
  • Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports opines that the Giants should go all out on Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson this offseason. The writer cites the organization’s draft capital (which, at the moment, includes picks No. 6 and No. 7), Daniel Jones‘ disappointment in New York, and Wilson’s supposed desire to play in the Big Apple. Assuming GM Dave Gettleman is out after the season, this would be a bold way for a new GM to begin their tenure, but the writer believes this would be preferable to rolling with Jones or drafting a quarterback in a weak class.

Eagles’ DeVonta Smith Week-To-Week

August 2nd, 2021 at 9:38am CST by Zachary Links

The Eagles have listed wide receiver DeVonta Smith as week-t0-week with a knee sprain. However, (Twitter link) NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport hears that it’s just a minor sprain, which means that Smith should only be out for a couple of weeks. 

[Poll: Which Rookie WR Will Finish With Most Receiving Yards?]

The first-round pick is set to reunite quarterback Jalen Hurts, his old college pal at Alabama. The stage is set for a big rookie year — the Heisman trophy winner may stand as the Birds’ top outside option as he joins Jalen Reagor, Travis Fulgham, and Greg Ward Jr. on the depth chart. Fortunately, he should be good to go in time for the season opener against the Falcons on September 12.

Smith broke onto the scene following a standout junior campaign, but he took it to another level in 2020. The wideout finished the year with 24 touchdowns, 1,862 yards from scrimmage, and the aforementioned Heisman (plus many more awards). He was universally viewed as one of the three best WRs in this year’s class — somewhere behind Ja’Marr Chase and neck-and-neck with teammate Jaylen Waddle. While those two were taken ahead of Smith, the Eagles rook offers plenty of upside thanks to his soft hands, intangibles, and ability to win 50/50 balls.

Poll: Which Rookie Wide Receiver Will Finish With Most Receiving Yards?

July 18th, 2021 at 6:52pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

This past week we asked you which rookie running back would finish with the most yards in 2021, and now we’re turning our attention to the wide receivers. This year’s wideout class was a great one, with three going in the top ten picks.

Two more then went later in the first round, and then five were off the board in the second. The crop included reigning Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith, and LSU star Ja’Marr Chase who was reunited in Cincinnati with college teammate Joe Burrow.

Chase became the first receiver off the board when the Bengals nabbed him with the fifth overall pick. He should already have great chemistry with Burrow, so he’s got that working in his favor. Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd are still there, but the team moving on from A.J. Green this offseason means Chase should see plenty of opportunity right away. Will his rapport with Burrow and a potentially improved Cincy O-line be enough for him to seize the rookie receiving title?

The following pick, the Dolphins took Jaylen Waddle from Alabama at number six. Waddle is also reconnecting with an old college quarterback as he’ll re-team with Tua Tagovailoa in Miami. His blazing fast speed gives him plenty of upside, although working against him is the fact that he missed a good chunk of the 2020 season due to injury. Will Fuller will have to sit out the first game of the 2021 season with a suspension, but DeVante Parker and Mike Gesicki will also be competing for targets.

Smith *also* is getting paired back up with a familiar face under center. The Heisman winner played with Eagles second-year quarterback Jalen Hurts at Alabama. Despite winning the award for best college football player in the country, Smith was the third wideout taken. Will he use that as added motivation and come out with a chip on his shoulder? He certainly shouldn’t struggle for playing time with Philly’s receiving depth chart being thin as ever. Jalen Reagor, Travis Fulgham, and Greg Ward Jr. are all he has to compete with.

The other two first-rounders were Kadarius Toney from Florida to the Giants at 20 and Rashod Bateman from Minnesota to the Ravens at 27. Toney surprised New York by skipping OTAs and apparently might begin the year in a gadget role as he’s buried behind Sterling Shepard, Kenny Golladay, Darius Slayton, and Evan Engram in the pecking order, so he’s got his work cut out for him. Bateman has a path to a breakout with Baltimore in desperate need of receiving help, but the Ravens’ passing game is going to be a wild card.

Elijah Moore was the next big name, with the Ole Miss product going to the Jets at 34. He’s also got upside, but has a few guys ahead of him and will have a rookie quarterback throwing to him. Rondale Moore (Purdue) to the Cardinals at 49, D’Wayne Eskridge (Western Michigan) to the Seahawks at 56, Tutu Atwell (Louisville) to the Rams at 57, and Terrace Marshall Jr. (LSU) to the Panthers at 59 round out the rest of the round two receivers.

So, what do you think? Which receiver will rack up the most yards in 2021? Who are the later-round candidates or UDFAs who can join these players as early contributors? Vote in PFR’s latest poll and weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section.

Eagles Sign DeVonta Smith

June 3rd, 2021 at 1:19pm CST by Zachary Links

DeVonta Smith is officially in the flock. On Thursday, the Eagles formally signed the first-round wide receiver to his first NFL contract. 

[RELATED: Eagles To Hold QB Competition?]

Per the terms of his No. 10 overall slot slot, Smith will earn $20.1MM over the course of his four-year deal, including a $12MM signing bonus. The Eagles are happy to pay it, especially after trading up to the No. 10 pick to snag the Alabama star. Now, he’ll reunite with his one-time teammate Jalen Hurts, who went on to play at Oklahoma. His presence should help Hurts, who may have to compete for his No. 1 job.

Smith broke onto the scene following a standout junior campaign, but he took it to another level in 2020. The wideout finished the year with 24 touchdowns, 1,862 yards from scrimmage, and the Heisman Trophy (plus many more awards). He was universally viewed as one of the three best WRs in this year’s class — somewhere behind Ja’Marr Chase and neck-and-neck with teammate Jaylen Waddle. While Waddle is known for his high-end speed, Smith has drawn rave reviews for his soft hands, intangibles, and ability to win 50/50 balls.

A dislocated finger (including torn ligaments) led to some brief concern leading up to the draft, but that shouldn’t slow Smith as he gears up for his first year in the pros.

Draft Notes: Fields, Giants, Saints, Cowboys

April 30th, 2021 at 5:28pm CST by Sam Robinson

Penei Sewell loomed as the Panthers‘ first-round target, but when the Lions selected the Oregon tackle, Albert Breer of SI.com notes the team moved into a Jaycee Horn-vs.-Justin Fields debate. The Panthers’ need at cornerback — in a division featuring the likes of Michael Thomas, Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin — helped steer them to Horn. Fields, who went three picks later after the Bears traded up for him, was in the mix. The Panthers did not want to force a quarterback investment, Breer adds. While GM Scott Fitterer indicated the Panthers could take a quarterback even after trading for Sam Darnold, the team expressed considerable interest in Deshaun Watson prior to off-field issues squashing his trade market. A Fields pick would have made revisiting that pursuit more difficult. It cannot be assumed the embattled Texans quarterback will be available anytime soon, but the Panthers did not take themselves out of a potential market Thursday night.

Entering Round 2, here is the draft latest:

  • The Eagles were correct in assuming the Giants were planning to select DeVonta Smith at No. 11. Big Blue would have taken the Alabama superstar there, Breer notes. Howie Roseman engineered an intra-NFC East trade-up with the Cowboys, moving up two spots for Smith. The Eagles, whose Week 17 quarterback strategy came under fire re: the Giants’ unusual playoff pursuit, saw another move of theirs affect Big Blue. Philly pair Smith with 2020 first-rounder Jalen Reagor. The Giants still took a wideout at No. 20 (Kadarius Toney).
  • Prior to the Bears executing a successful trade-up with the Giants, moving from No. 20 to No. 11, they discussed a likely similar deal with the Cowboys, per Breer. The Cowboys did not want to take themselves out of adding a player on whom they placed a first-round grade; sliding down to 20 may well have done that. Dallas ended up with Micah Parsons at 12.
  • The Giants were busy at No. 11. Ahead of Dave Gettleman‘s first-ever trade-down (in nine drafts as a GM), he heard from the Vikings and Saints, Breer adds. The Saints, who had already seen top targets Jaycee Horn and Patrick Surtain II drafted, were linked to quarterbacks as well. New Orleans did offer one future first-round pick but did not include a second future first-rounder in its trade-up proposals. As a result, the Saints did not come particularly close to trading up Thursday. After the Chargers drafted Rashawn Slater, the Vikings ended up trading down.
  • After the Ravens traded their second-round pick to the Chiefs in the Orlando Brown deal, Eric DeCosta does not expect to move back into the round, according to Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The Ravens did not make any trades Thursday night, winding up with Rashod Bateman and Odafe Oweh.
  • Some teams are not comfortable with Alabama center Landon Dickerson‘s medcials, per ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler (on Twitter). The Steelers are one of the teams a bit leery on Dickerson, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette tweets. Pittsburgh saw 11-year center Maurkice Pouncey retire this offseason. While the team has multiple lower-profile replacement candidates — B.J. Finney and J.C. Hassenauer — Dickerson will enter the NFL as a high-end prospect, albeit one coming off a December ACL tear.
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