The title of WR1 isn't earned overnight. It comes after years of production, consistency and proving you can thrive when defenses know you're the player they have to stop. Philadelphia Eagles star DeVonta Smith has already checked those boxes. Now, following A.J. Brown's departure,the offense enters a new chapter with Smith leading the wide receiver corps.
He's no longer the rising star learning alongside established veterans. He's the proven veteran, the longest-tenured Eagle on the roster and the receiver the offense will increasingly lean on in 2026. Here are four expectations as Smith embraces his expanded role. This should be a massive season for the man in the Number 6 jersey.
Expect DeVonta Smith to see the lion's share of the targets
The biggest change should also be the most obvious. Philadelphia's
passing game now revolves around Smith. While the Eagles will continue to spread the football around, he figures to become Jalen Hurts' first option more often than ever before. Whether it's third-and-long, two-minute situations or critical red-zone possessions, expect the ball to find No. 6.
Being WR1 isn't simply about leading the team in receptions. It's about becoming the player opposing defensive coordinators spend all week trying to limit.
That hasn't worked consistently for the opposition before. It probably won't work now. We've seen the Eagles offense with that being the blueprint before. Things worked out well, and now Hurts and Smith are both more experienced and battle-tested.
DeVonta Smith's leadership should become more visible
Smith has never had the reputation of being the loudest player in the locker room. That doesn't mean he hasn't been a leader. Teammates have long respected his professionalism, work ethic and willingness to lead by example. While he often keeps those moments away from cameras and microphones, his voice carries weight inside the building.
Now, with Brown gone and Smith entering his sixth NFL season, expect that leadership to become even more noticeable. Whether the Eagles eventually reward him with a captain's patch remains to be seen, but the responsibility that comes with being one of the franchise's cornerstone players is already here.
Defenses will build game plans around stopping the Eagles star
For years, opposing defenses had to decide whether to devote extra attention to Brown or Smith. That luxury is gone. Smith now becomes the primary focus of every opponent's scouting report. He'll likely see more No. 1 cornerbacks, more bracket coverage and more safety help over the top than at any point in his career.
That's the challenge that comes with becoming the offense's featured receiver. The Eagles don't need Smith to avoid that attention. They need him to continue producing despite it.
DeVonta Smith's Eagles legacy now enters a new chapter
Few players remain with one franchise long enough to watch their role evolve several times. Smith has done exactly that. He arrived as a first-round draft pick expected to transform the receiving corps. He developed into one of the league's most reliable playmakers, helped Philadelphia win a Super Bowl and established himself as one of the NFL's premier route runners.
Now he enters another chapter. He's the veteran receiver younger teammates will follow. He's one of the longest-tenured voices in the locker room. Most importantly, he's the player expected to lead the next generation of Eagles pass catchers.
The Eagles aren't asking DeVonta Smith to become someone different. They're asking him to become even more of who he's already been. More targets, greater leadership responsibilities and increased defensive attention all come with life as WR1. Smith has spent the first five years of his career proving he belongs among the NFL's best receivers. This season allows him to show he can become one of the defining leaders of the Eagles' next era.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: 4 expectations for DeVonta Smith as Eagles’ new WR1
