Eagles’ DeVonta Smith talks about the next step in his game
On a recent episode of an I AM ATHLETE podcast, Eagles receiver DeVonta Smith said he thinks hes a top 10 receiver in the NFL.
Ive kind of always felt like that to myself, humbly, Smith said back in Philly last week.
And hes right.
Smith last season had 95 catches for 1,196 yards and 7 touchdowns playing in an offense that also featured A.J. Brown and Dallas Goedert. And he did all that in his second NFL season.
I think as you go on and you just continue to raise your level of play, that comes into it, Smith said about being a top 10 guy. Like I said, more understanding of the game and things like that. Thats just being confident in myself and my abilities. Im pretty sure you wouldnt have many guys come up here and say they dont think theyre not. Just being confident in my abilities and raising my play.
Last season, Smith ranked 8th in the NFL in receiving yards. Heres a look at the top 10:
1. Justin Jefferson: 1,809
2. Tyreek Hill: 1,710
3. Davante Adams: 1,516
4. A.J. Brown: 1,496
5. Stefon Diggs: 1,429
6. CeeDee Lamb: 1,359
7. Jaylen Waddle: 1,356
8. DeVonta Smith: 1,196
9. Terry McLaurin: 1,191
10. Amon-Ra St. Brown: 1,161
Those top three guys Jefferson, Hill and Adams were named to the All-Pro team and the only two players from that top 10 who werent named Pro Bowlers last season were Waddle and Smith. That perhaps has something to do with them being on teams with other elite receivers who were named to the team.
But its clear that Smith is a Pro Bowl caliber player already as he enters Year 3 in the NFL.
So whats the next step?
The mental side of the game, Smith said. Continue to get mentally sharp in my preparation and going out there and play so I can see things faster.
Smith, 24, entered the NFL as a refined route runner and he won the Heisman Trophy at Alabama for a reason. He was plenty polished. But theres still room for growth and he wants to learn everything he can about how to play in the NFL.
When he talks about the mental side of the game, hes not just talking about studying his own teams playbook.
Recognition of the defenses, Smith said. Teams change every year. A lot of coordinators change and things like that. Teams that you may have played in the past arent running the same scheme and things like that.
Smith used the beginning of this offseason rehabbing an injured toe with a lot of ice and massages but says hes good now as the Eagles prepare for their OTAs. Smith tries to make the most out of these spring workouts.
Ever hear about how a pitcher will work on his stuff during spring training? Thats sort of how Smith treats these spring practices. He can be a little experimental.
Yeah, this is your time to mess around and do things, Smith said. You have times where you can try new things and times you cant. This is definitely they time where anything you want to try, just go on and do it now, get it out the way. Maybe something out there Nick (Sirianni) dont want me to do, Im gonna try it now. Best time to try it.
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