Eagles Expectations: Pro Bowl-or-Bust Season for DeVonta Smith?

Despite Pro Bowl honors alluding Philadelphia Eagles receiver DeVonta Smith in his first two seasons, is the inevitable bound to happen this year?

Former All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman recently credited Philadelphia Eagles receiver DeVonta Smith for his decision to retire, an impressive and unique feat that most young receivers don't have the privilege of  

But does this mean Smith is talented enough to make a Pro Bowl entering his third season?

Entering the league in 2021 as only the fourth receiver in college football history to have won the Heisman Trophy, the expectation was that Smith would produce for the Eagles immediately, and he did just that from day one.

In his first year in Philadelphia, Smith had 64 catches, 916 yards, and five touchdowns, with a catch percentage of 62 percent.

As funny as the Sherman story is (read more about it here), it’s also extremely high praise coming from a six-time Pro Bowler, five-time All-Pro, who was more known for his trash-talking than compliments. But if Smith is so well respected, why hasn’t it translated to individual accolades such as his own Pro Bowl honors? The numbers show that it's only a matter of time.

Last season, Smith improved in every metric as the WR2 behind A.J. Brown. In one additional start (played all 17 games), he had 280 more total receiving yards (1,196), 31 more receptions (95), two more total touchdowns (seven), and a catch percentage that was eight percent higher (70 versus 62). Unfortunately, Smith’s impressive stats weren’t enough to earn him a Pro Bowl nod.

“You could argue that Smith was already a Pro Bowl snub last season. No reason to think he won’t have a good shot at making it in 2023,” Yahoo! Sports said while listing him as one of the team's three-most likely first-time Pro Bowlers in 2023.

There’s an argument to be made that Smith deserved to make it over Washington Commanders’ receiver Terry McLaurin (77 catches, 1,191 yards, five touchdowns) or Pro Bowl replacement and Detroit Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (106 catches, 1,161 yards, six touchdowns), but debating the past changes nothing.

Heading into training camp for this upcoming season, Smith must continue to ascend amongst his peers to help the Eagles remain atop the NFC and hopefully finally earn the individual accolades that have alluded him so far in his young NFL career.

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