Why DeVonta Smith may be the Eagles' true A.J. Brown replacement

The Philadelphia Eagles and wide receiver A.J. Brown seem to have an understanding regarding the fact that he won't have to wait much longer to join the New England Patriots via a trade that can't become official before June 1. This is because of the Eagles' salary-cap issues.

Back in April, ESPN's Tim McManus mentioned that "the Eagles view DeVonta Smith as a WR1 capable of thriving with a larger workload" as soon as this coming season. At a recent event, Eagles left tackle Jordan Mailata suggested that Smith is truly ready to accept such a role. 

DeVonta Smith is already a leader for an Eagles team that is expected to trade A.J. Brown to the Patriots

"I think it’s his consistency," Mailata said about Smith, as Chris Franklin of NJ Advance Media shared on Monday. "That’s what sticks out to me. It doesn’t matter if you’re on the field or off the field. I think his character is the same on both levels, and it doesn’t waver. It doesn’t change. As a leader in that locker room, you need that, and I think that’s his biggest quality as a teammate and also a leader of the team."

The Eagles seemed to say plenty about Brown's future when they traded up to take USC wide receiver Makai Lemon with the 20th overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. Meanwhile, ESPN stats show that Smith led the 2025 Eagles with 1,008 regular-season receiving yards. He was second on the team with 77 receptions and 113 targets. Over 17 games, he tallied four receiving touchdowns. 

DeVonta Smith won't have to change after the Eagles trade A.J. Brown to the Patriots

Green Bay Packers linebacker Zaire Franklin spent part of the offseason training with Smith, so the two are no strangers to each other this spring. 

"He has always worked hard," Franklin said about Smith. "He always trained to be the best at what he did. Guys like DeVonta don’t have to change their work ethic when opportunity comes because they are always working for the opportunity."  

Smith's next big opportunity should involve serving as the No. 1 receiver for star Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts this fall.