By Max Harper
If you’re having your doubts about Eagles top pick DeVonta Smith, lose them.
Because the great Gil Brandt, a HOF exec, disagrees:
Smith averaged less than 40 yards per game through the first three weeks of the season, then finally cracked the 100-yard mark against the Chiefs with a superior outing on Sunday.
And while Kansas City’s lackluster pass defense might have had something to do with that, I would expect we’ll see plenty more days like it going forward.
One factor to keep an eye on is whether he and Jalen Hurts are able to develop more chemistry on deep throws. Smith has been targeted deep on nearly a quarter (22.6%) of the passes that have gone his way, per Next Gen Stats — but he’s only caught one of those throws.
He and Hurts appeared to be out of sync on most of the rest, whether Smith was trying to fight through heavy coverage or the ball was in a place where it was difficult for Smith to make a play.
If he and Hurts can find a better rhythm on those throws, look for Smith’s yardage totals to balloon.
