The Philly Voice’s Jimmy Kempski reports some in the Eagles organization believe DeVonta Smith can post elite numbers if A.J. Brown is traded.

14 April 2026

Smith’s backers “believe that if Brown were no longer with the team that Smith can have a similar jump in production that Jaxon Smith-Njigba had in Seattle once DK Metcalf was out of the way.” Smith NJigba, following an ordainry 2024 rookie campaign, blew up in 2025 to the tune of 1,992 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2025, with an elite 3.42 yards per route run, trailing only Puka Nacua. Brown is almost certain to exit Philadelphia in the coming weeks after a tumultuous 2025 season. That would open up targets for Smith, though the low-volume nature of the Eagles passing offense could be something of a damper on Smith’s statistical upside. Brown in 2025 was targeted on 28 percent of his routes while Smith saw a target on 23 percent of his routes, in line with Deebo Samuel and Troy Franklin.