NFL reporter, former executive address Eagles' DeVonta Smith question after A.J. Brown trade

Dallas Cowboys legend and Hall of Famer Michael Irvin recently admitted that he is "worried" about what the Philadelphia Eagles offense will and won't be this fall without wide receiver A.J. Brown. 

Even before Philadelphia officially traded Brown to the New England Patriots in early June, it was reported that "the Eagles view DeVonta Smith as a WR1 capable of thriving with a larger workload." During Wednesday's edition of the ESPN "Get Up" program, former NFL player, executive and current analyst Louis Riddick addressed whether or not Smith can be a top-tier receiver for an advertised Super Bowl contender. 

DeVonta Smith about to have a breakout season after the A.J. Brown trade?

"I would expect him to go over 100 catches," Riddick said about Smith. "He'll be a 1,300, 1,350 [receiving yards] guy, pushing double-digits in touchdowns, because that's the skill set. That's what the numbers say. ...He's been a guy who has always thrived in the spotlight. He can thrive in any area of the football field. Outside lane, inside lane. He's tough after the catch. He's tough in contested-ball situations. I don't think anybody there will be surprised when he does have that breakout type of season."

Smith led a 2025 Eagles side that had Brown with 1,008 receiving yards. Smith was also second on the team with 77 receptions and 113 targets. Over 17 regular-season games, he tallied four receiving touchdowns. 

While the Eagles traded up to select USC wide receiver Makai Lemon with the 20th overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, Smith is expected to serve as Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts' favorite target this coming fall. During the "Get Up" segment, NFL reporter Kimberley A. Martin explained why she thinks Smith will flourish in that role. 

Will DeVonta Smith be "a quiet assassin" for the 2026 Eagles? 

"In Philly, they see him as a quiet assassin," Martin said about Smith. "He's not gonna be demonstrative. He's not gonna be a loud talker. He's not gonna say much, but the man produces. ...Will [the Eagles] miss the production of A.J. Brown? Of course, you have to account for that. But no one feels like DeVonta Smith is not that dude as well."

Stories suggesting that Eagles general manager Howie Roseman could move on from Hurts in 2027 will hover over the franchise throughout training camp. Such whispers could disappear if Smith becomes "that dude" for Philadelphia later this year.