In fantasy football, finding hidden gems can often lead to championship glory. One such gem that has emerged recently is none other than Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver, Devonta Smith. With his electrifying talent, exceptional skills, and promising potential, Smith has quickly become a go-to player for fantasy football enthusiasts. This article explores why Smith is a must-have receiver for any fantasy football team.
More 2023 Fantasy Football Profiles
2023 Fantasy Football Profile: DeVonta Smith
DeVonta Smith’s 2022 Season Recap
Devonta Smith has swiftly established himself as one of the most exciting young wide receivers in the NFL, making him an equally captivating option in the fantasy football realm. His dynamic skills, consistency, big-play potential, and promising future outlook combine to make him a highly sought-after commodity in fantasy drafts.
Heading into the 2022 season, there were concerns that the arrival of A.J. Brown might hinder Smith’s production. However, those worries proved unfounded. Smith impressively outpaced Brown in the number of routes run, indicating his prominent role in the team’s passing game. Additionally, both players had comparable target shares, with Smith commanding a 27% share and Brown with 29%. The synergy created by Brown’s addition to the offense was beneficial for all.
One of the most sought-after traits in fantasy football is consistency, and Smith delivers just that, playing in all 17 games last season. Week in and week out, Smith showed consistency, making him a reliable option for fantasy managers. Smith was targeted 136 times, catching 95 passes for 1196 yards. He complied seven touchdowns during the 2022 season.
In the 2022 season, Smith secured an impressive 10th place among wide receivers in both standard and half PPR scoring formats. Even in full PPR scoring, he maintained a strong performance, finishing as the 9th-best wide receiver. Smith’s consistent output across various scoring formats highlights his reliability and fantasy football value.
The best game of DeVonta Smith’s young career right here 🍿 pic.twitter.com/BvLa4kI8MD
— Victor Williams (@ThePhillyPod) July 19, 2023
DeVonta Smith’s 2023 Season Prediction
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Considering that Devonta Smith is entering only his third year in the NFL, we can expect his production to keep on ascending. Smith finds himself in an ideal situation, being part of a high-powered offense led by an elite quarterback, Jalen Hurts.
In the 2022 season, Smith’s production experienced a significant increase when tight-end Dallas Godert suffered an injury. Now that Godert is expected to fully recover for the upcoming season, how will it impact Smith’s production?
It’s worth noting that the Eagles held commanding leads in most games last season, leading them to adopt a run-heavy strategy in the second half. However, facing a tougher schedule this year may force them to pass more often late in games, potentially benefiting Smith’s fantasy production.
Smith’s ability to create consistent separation and make big plays makes him a valuable asset for fantasy managers, and with the team’s offensive growth, his potential for fantasy points is bound to increase even further.
DeVonta Smith Fantasy Football ADP/Rankings
Per FantasyPros, Smith holds the 13th spot in ADP for wide receivers and 29th overall, positioning him just behind Tee Higgins of Cincinnati and ahead of Chris Olave from the New Orleans Saints. This ranking accurately reflects Smith’s value as a high-end WR2 or a moderate to lower-end WR1 in fantasy football. To fall outside the top 15, Smith would likely need to miss a few games. However, there are no injury concerns surrounding Smith, and Hurts is expected to be a steady presence throughout the season. As a result, Smith is an outstanding fantasy option with considerable potential for the upcoming season.
Main Photo: Michael Chow/The Republic-USA TODAY NETWORK
