Don’t ‘Sleep' On Eagles WR DeVonta Smith - He Sure Won't

Philadelphia Eagles third-year receiver DeVonta Smith keeps getting better and better ... even if his sleep schedule doesn't.

PHILADELPHIA - Ah, to be young again.

Philadelphia Eagles receiver DeVonta Smith doesn’t sleep, so it’s probably a pretty good idea that you shouldn’t sleep on the emerging third-year receiver.

Smith is already very good after setting franchise records for rookie receiving yards in 2021 and overall receptions by a receiver in 2022, and his teammate, five-time Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay, believes the 6-foot, 170-pound Alabama product is on the cusp of being the best receiver in the entire NFL.

“I mean we always have talks about the game and things like that,” Smith said on Sunday after practice when asked about Slay's prediction. “I always believe in myself, going out there and doing the things I do. I mean part of the reason I have so much confidence in myself is guys like him and [James] Bradberry that I go against every day.

“Those guys, they teach me things that I may be doing wrong so having two guys like that -- both outside corners -- it just makes my job a lot easier."

Set to turn 25 in November, Smith is a physical marvel, one that Slay coined “Skinny Batman,” last season to go along with “Swole Batman” A.J. Brown.

When Smith was coming out of Tuscaloosa after winning the Heisman Trophy in 2020, many questioned whether his frame would hold up to the NFL rigors.

To date that hasn’t been much of an issue with a rookie season of 64 receptions with the franchise rookie standard of 916 yards and five touchdowns. When Brown arrived to lighten the load and take over the WR1 role in 2022, Smith flourished as the so-called 1B with the franchise mark at the position of 95 receptions for 1,196 yards and seven touchdowns.

Smith had looked even better in camp this summer, and finished training camp on a high note by dominating Indianapolis cornerback Darrell Baker in a joint practice last week.

Smith arrived in Philadelphia as an advanced product from a route-running standpoint and has slowly progressed in other areas beginning with the upkeep of his much-discussed frame.

"I would just say overall taking better care of my body,” Smith told SI.com’s Eagles Today when discussing his incremental improvements. “First camp I didn't make it all the way through so just little things, little body maintenance, and things like that to keep me healthy."

Brown, the second-team All-Pro acquired from Tennessee on draft night in 2022, has taught Smith the importance of using his hands.

“Using your hands at the line of scrimmage, using late hands, catching passes over the shoulder. Things like that,” Smith said when asked how Brown has impacted his own skill set.

The first thing you notice about Smith physically is his skinny legs but the frame is unique. He’s got a tremendous wingspan and enormous hands that can pluck the football from the air. His wiry frame also packs more strength than the opposition is usually expecting.

“I wouldn't say it's taking anyone else's habits. you know, everybody is different,” said Smith. “Different body types and things like that so I wouldn't be going in and doing things that BG [Brandon Graham], Jalen [Hurts], those guys do.

“Those bigger guys, they have other areas of focus so it's just something I do myself. Little things, hamstrings, and things like that. Proper recovery and things like that. Actually getting ready for practice. I always feel like I'm young and I can go out there and run."

The sleep thing, though, in many ways is antithetical to performance.

“Some guys need a lot of sleep, some don't. For me, I don't need a lot of sleep. That's just how my body functions," Smith said.

But, four hours? Chip Kelly’s sleep monitors might overload from that kind of number from a professional athlete.

“I kinda go to sleep when I get tired and just get up when my alarm go off," Smith said. “... "It just depends on the day. If it's a day we got a lot of time I'll probably just nap in between the day but if we don't have enough time I just stick with my four and that's it."

The alarm goes off at 5 a.m. by the way.

As Smith ages, he will get another alarm. One that says the star receiver needs more rest to maintain his trajectory as a player.

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-John McMullen contributes Eagles coverage for SI.com's Eagles Today and is the NFL Insider for JAKIB Media. You can listen to John, alongside legendary sports-talk host Jody McDonald every morning from 8-10 on ‘Birds 365,” streaming live on YouTube. John is also the host of his own show "Football 24/7 and a daily contributor to ESPN South Jersey. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen