Where to draft Philadelphia Eagles WR DeVonta Smith?

WR DeVonta Smith, the 2020 Heisman Trophy winner, was selected 10th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. The Alabama product has lived up to high expectations, averaging 80 receptions, 1,059 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns in his 3 NFL seasons. Below we look at DeVonta Smith's Average draft position (ADP) in 2024 Fantasy Football and where you should draft him.

Entering the upcoming season, Smith's role in the Eagles offense remains secure, with the passing game revolving around WR AJ Brown, Smith, and TE Dallas Goedert. With a more stable offensive lineup this season, Smith is expected to at least match his numbers from last year. This makes him a solid pick in fantasy drafts, as he offers reliability and the potential to deliver consistent performance.

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DeVonta Smith’s ADP: 42.68

(ADP data courtesy of MyFantasyLeague.com; last updated at time of publication – ADPs are constantly changing as more drafts take place)

Smith's ADP of 42.68 in redraft leagues puts him in the 4th to 6th round range, depending on the size of the league. His ADP ranks 4th on the Eagles, behind Brown (11.25), RB Saquon Barkley (12.60) and QB Jalen Hurts (28.12).

Among wide receivers, Smith's ADP ranks 23rd, behind Indianapolis' Michael Pittman Jr. (40.59), Miami's Jaylen Waddle (40.56) and Giants rookie Malik Nabers (38.40). San Francisco's Brandon Aiyuk (42.98), Cleveland's Amari Cooper (51.48) and Baltimore's Zay Flowers (55.35) rank 24th to 26th.

DeVonta Smith's stats for 2023-24

Games: 16

Receptions | Destinations: 81 | 112

Reception courtyards: 1,066

Touchdowns received: 7

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Where should you draft Smith?

Before last season, Smith was widely expected to be a top-15 fantasy wide receiver, and many fantasy managers, including myself, were confident in his potential. However, projections showed a slight decline, placing him just outside the top-24 WRs – a sign that the lofty expectations may not be fully realized. As it turns out, those projections were accurate.

Smith's target share dropped from 27% in 2022 to 22.8% in 2023, resulting in a drop in his fantasy points per game from 15 to 14.2. Despite the reduced volume, Smith remained consistent, scoring similar yards per game (66.6 in 2023 versus 70.4 in 2022) and even improving his catch rate from 69.9% to 72.3%. He also matched his touchdown total from last year with 7 points.

The slight decline in Smith's performance can be attributed to two main factors: Hurts' regression as a passer and the coaching staff's difficulty adjusting to the adjustments on defense, which resulted in fewer touchdowns for the Eagles overall. In response, the Eagles brought in Kellen Moore as offensive coordinator and signed Barkley to bolster the backfield, although Barkley will not significantly impact Smith's target share.

Currently, Smith's ADP is WR23 and No. 46 overall. This position gives fantasy managers the opportunity to draft him at a good price compared to other wide receivers. While he likely won't surpass Brown as the Eagles' WR1, Smith still has top-15 potential and is a solid pick, especially if you're looking for stability and potential in the middle rounds.

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