Overview
- Reporting on May 20 says Smith has spent the offseason intensely preparing for a WR1 role by studying the position, calling former top receivers and taking a leadership approach to his work.
- Nick Sirianni told an NFL insider that the coaching staff believes they have "just scratched the surface" of Smith’s ceiling and that the Eagles’ new offense could unlock more of his production.
- Smith has publicly embraced leadership by saying he will mentor rookie first-round pick Makai Lemon, a role that aligns with the team’s roster reshaping this spring.
- The Eagles rebuilt the perimeter this offseason by drafting Lemon, adding Dontayvion Wicks and signing Hollywood Brown and Elijah Moore to complement Smith and prepare for life after A.J. Brown.
- Smith’s track record — a 2021 No. 10 overall pick, a Heisman winner at Alabama and three 1,000-yard NFL seasons — underpins the belief he can handle a primary role while a trade for A.J. Brown is expected around early June.