Top NFL Analyst: Eagles WR DeVonta Smith Will Thrive Without AJ Brown

The Philadelphia Eagles spent the offseason planning for the departure of three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver A.J. Brown.

The team drafted USC's Makai Lemon in Round 1 of the 2026 draft, they traded for Dontayvion Wicks from the Green Bay Packers, and they signed Marquise "Hollywood" Brown and Elijah Moore in free agency.

And now that Brown is with the New England Patriots, it's former first-round pick DeVonta Smith who stands to benefit the most. In fact, ESPN's Louis Riddick believes Smith will thrive in his new role as Philadelphia's sole WR1.

"You cannot just discount losing a guy like A.J. Brown and the force that he brings - you can't," Riddick said. "But DeVonta Smith, by all accounts, going back to his college days and the people who coached him there…what he's done in the pros already in a 1A type of role, he's ready for this. He'll be able to handle this. He will be a 1,300-, 1,400-yard receiver."

Smith was a borderline WR1 even with Brown on the opposite side of the offense.

The former Heisman Trophy winner posted here 1,000-yard seasons over the last four years as the Robin to Brown's Batman, and now that he's alone at the top of the depth chart, a 1,400-yard season seems well within reason.

Since 2022, Smith ranks 10th in the NFL in touchdown catches (26), and 11th in receiving yards (4,103) and receptions (321). Without Brown taking away nearly nine targets per game, it's possible Smith could have a case for becoming a top-10 WR.

Riddick also pointed out that the Eagles' concern should be how the new WRs will fit into the offense, especially with the team breaking in a new offensive coordinator in Sean Mannion.

"It's the other guys - is Makai Lemon going to be able to learn this news offense that they're all having to learn under coach Mannion now," Riddick asked. "Will he be a dependable No. 2? Can Hollywood Brown be a No. 2/No. 3? Can Eli Stowers the tight end drafted out of Vanderbilt be the big presence down the middle of the field?

"Is the running game, which is going to look totally different this year, is that going to help complement this new passing attack? Jalen Hurts himself, is he going to be better being able to organically play the position?"

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This story was originally published June 11, 2026 at 6:47 PM.