Eagles Pro Bowler Darius Slay shares bold DeVonta Smith prediction

Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay expects teammate DeVonta Smith will soon sit atop the power rankings of NFL wide receivers.

"He got all the tools," Slay said about Smith following a joint practice with the Cleveland Browns, per Eagles insider Reuben Frank of NBC Sports Philadelphia. "I told him, 'You know, it ain't going to be too much longer we're going to be saying Smitty the best receiver in the league,' for sure. It ain't gonna be too much longer." 

As noted by ESPN stats, Smith finished the 2022 regular season ranked 11th in the league with 95 receptions, 14th with 136 targets and ninth with 1,196 receiving yards. The 2021 first-round draft pick also contributed seven receiving touchdowns. 

Across three postseason games, Smith recorded 15 catches for 197 yards and a score. 

Slay explained that Smith's "elite" route-running helps make the 24-year-old such a valuable weapon for quarterback Jalen Hurts.

"I've been telling him since he's been a rookie, man, he's way ahead of his class," Slay added about Smith. "And his route-running ability, I told him the other day, 'Man, you're a guy that I've never seen before that can, like, adjust like that in the middle of pressing, hard press, motor catching, all that.' He got the body and the control to adjust to anything." 

Earlier this summer, Smith sounded wise beyond his years when he talked about the Eagles having "to build on what we did" last season if the team is to pursue a second consecutive trip to the Super Bowl. Slay indicated working with teammate A.J. Brown has helped Smith embrace such a mindset. 

"...He’s learned so much from A.J., from A.J. doing this and doing that, it’s just like it’s destined for him," Slay continued. "A.J. is doing a great job leading him because A.J. is by far elite as hell, too. So he’s got a good thing going."