DeVonta Smith Ready to Become Eagles No. 1 Wide Receiver if A.J. Brown Departs

Philadelphia Eagles fans have waited years for this moment. With A.J. Brown trade rumors swirling hotter than ever this May 2026 offseason, NFL Network analyst Steve Smith Sr. just delivered the strongest endorsement yet: DeVonta Smith is built to step in as the team’s unquestioned No. 1 wide receiver.

Smith Sr. didn’t mince words. “DeVonta Smith has been waiting and chomping at the bit for his opportunity,” the former star receiver said. “A.J. Brown is an Alpha and is the No. 1, while DeVonta Smith is an Alpha and a No. 1.”

Those comments landed only days after quarterback Jalen Hurts echoed the same belief during organized team activities at the NovaCare Complex. “There was a time DeVonta was ‘the guy’ coming in,” Hurts told reporters. “I know everyone has a lot of confidence in him.”

The Chemistry Was Already There

Hurts and Smith share more than just a quarterback-receiver relationship. They arrived in Philadelphia together in 2021 — Smith as the 10th overall pick out of Alabama, Hurts as a second-round developmental prospect. They built something real before Brown ever suited up.

That foundation shows in every drill this spring. Smith runs routes with the same precision that earned him the 2020 Heisman Trophy. He high-points balls in traffic. He wins on contested catches. He creates separation with subtle footwork that most defenders never see coming. The kid who once torched SEC secondaries is now a 27-year-old veteran who has quietly posted 5,019 career receiving yards while sharing the spotlight.

Last season he still finished with 77 catches for 1,008 yards and four touchdowns despite Brown commanding heavy attention. Remove that competition for targets and the numbers jump. Everyone inside the building sees it.

Why This Move Makes Sense for 2026

The Eagles didn’t just draft USC receiver Makai Lemon in the first round to add depth. They did it knowing Brown’s massive cap hit and reported frustration could force a post-June 1 trade. That scenario would instantly thrust Smith into the alpha role he has prepared for since Brown arrived in 2022.

New offensive coordinator Sean Mannion is installing a system built for versatile, yards-after-catch threats. Smith fits that profile perfectly — he led the team in yards per catch in key stretches last year and remains one of the league’s most reliable hands. The kid who once bought his mother a new home with his rookie contract now carries himself like the veteran leader the locker room needs.

You could feel the shift at recent OTA sessions. Smith attacked every rep like it was his last. Teammates noticed. Coaches noticed. The entire organization has quietly operated under the assumption that Smith can handle the load — and then some.

The Alpha Mentality Steve Smith Sr. Recognized

Steve Smith Sr. knows what it takes to be “the guy.” He lived it. His endorsement carries weight because he sees the same traits in Smith that defined his own career: relentless preparation, elite route running, and that quiet confidence that explodes on game days.

Smith hasn’t complained once during his time in Philadelphia. He blocked. He ran deep routes to clear space for Brown. He celebrated teammates’ touchdowns louder than his own. That selflessness is exactly why he’s ready now. The moment the opportunity arrives, he won’t just fill Brown’s shoes — he’ll stretch them.

“There was a time DeVonta was ‘the guy’ coming in. I know everyone has a lot of confidence in him.”
— Jalen Hurts, May 2026 OTA press conference

What Fans Should Expect

Expect Smith to command 130-plus targets in 2026. Expect him to push for 1,200-plus yards and double-digit touchdowns if the offense stays healthy. Expect the same explosive plays that made him a first-round steal — only now with the volume to match his talent.

The Eagles aren’t rebuilding. They’re reloading around a core that already trusts Smith. Hurts trusts him. The coaching staff trusts him. And after years of waiting his turn, DeVonta Smith is finally about to show the league exactly why Steve Smith Sr. called him an alpha all along.

Philadelphia’s next chapter at wide receiver starts now. And the kid from Amite, Louisiana, who once won a Heisman and then waited patiently behind a superstar, looks ready to write it.