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With AJ Brown a happy member of the New England Patriots, even if he left a parting message on his way out of the Jefferson Health Training Complex, all eyes turn to DeVonta Smith to become the Philadelphia Eagles’ new WR1.
A tough ask? Considering Smith has had Brown by his side since his rookie contract, that very well may be, but in the opinion of ESPN’s Louis Riddick, it’s an ask the Heisman Trophy winner is ready for, as he believes he’s been a WR1 since his time at Alabama with Nick Saban.
“You cannot just discount losing a guy like AJ Brown and the force that he brings. You can’t. But DeVonta Smith, by all accounts, going all the way back to his college days and people who coached him there, Nick Saban in particular, and then 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,” Riddick declared.
“It’s the other guys. Is Makai Lemon going to be able to kind of like learn this new office that they’re all having to learn under Coach Mannion now? And will he be a dependable number two? Can Hollywood Brown be a No. 2/3? Can Eli Stowers, the tight end drafted out of Vanderbilt be that 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 supplement, you know, complement this new passing attack that?
“And Jalen Hurts himself. I mean, is he going to be better being able to organically play the position? Tim can speak to that. Yeah. It has the potential to be better with the addition by subtraction, but I always get a little leery using that moniker, especially when you’re talking about a guy as talented as AJ.”
With three 1,000-yard seasons over his first five campaigns in Philadelphia, plus a few incredible playoff showings to go with a Super Bowl ring, Smith has one of the most prolific home-grown wide receivers to ever play for the Eagles. If he can take a step forward and get into that 1,300-yard territory, as Riddick noted, his legend in South Philly will only continue to grow.
"[DeVonta Smith is] ready for this. He'll be able to handle this. He will be a 1,300, 1,400-yd receiver. It's the other guys."@LRiddickESPN details potential concerns with the Eagles' WR core without A.J. Brown. pic.twitter.com/ew4i1z8mzt
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) June 10, 2026
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