DeVonta Smith will be with the Philadelphia Eagles for the foreseeable future. In April 2024, the Eagles announced a three-year contract extension with the star receiver, and most of the salary is guaranteed.
Where DeVonta Smith Salary Ranks Among Other Star Receivers
Smith’s contract is for three years and $75 million and includes $51 million guaranteed. NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport was the first to report the details of the extension, which was later made official by the Eagles.
Smith has two years left on his rookie contract. The extension kicks in for the 2026 season, but if it went into effect immediately, at the time, he would be tied with teammate A.J. Brown for the fourth-highest annual salary ($25 million) among all receivers.
As for the $51 million guaranteed, Smith ranked ninth, sandwiched between Terry McLaurin and Keenan Allen.
Happy Monday Eagles fans ‼️
We've exercised the fifth-year option on WR @DeVontaSmith_6 and have agreed to terms on a 3-year contract extension through 2028.@Toyota | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/1w6VEnIKKV
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles)
Of course, NFL salary rankings can change at any moment.
Cincinnati Bengals star Tee Higgins publicly pushed for a new contract, one that exceeded Smith’s. So, too, was Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb, who held out for the start of Dallas’ offseason program. Star wideouts Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase, and Brandon Aiyuk also received lucrative extensions after Smith.
Regardless, Smith is one of the league’s best young wideouts — and will be compensated as such. He played a big role in the Eagles’ Super Bowl win last season, and the team will look to keep him around for the foreseeable future.
Based on average annual value, Smith is the 14th highest-paid receiver in the league heading into the 2025 NFL season. He ranks behind the likes of Chase ($40.25 million), Jefferson ($35 million), Brandon Aiyuk ($30 million), and D.J. Moore ($27.5 million).
Why Smith Deserved a Major Payday
Smith might not be a true franchise wideout, but he’s an ascending talent who probably would be a No. 1 target on most teams. We had him ranked 16th in our NFL receiver rankings at the time of his contract.
The 2020 Heisman Trophy winner, Smith, was selected 10th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. He enjoyed immediate success, hauling in 64 catches for 916 yards and five touchdowns in his rookie campaign.
KEEP READING: Who Are the Highest-Paid Wide Receivers in the NFL?
Smith is explosive, he’s a great route runner, and he can line up in multiple spots. He’s also durable, with just one missed game in three seasons.
At 26 years old, Smith’s best seasons might still be ahead of him. There’s a decent chance the Eagles will look back on this extension and view it as a bargain.
Cowboys-Eagles Week 1 Preview and Prediction
The Eagles and Cowboys will have their juices flowing on Thursday night in Philadelphia, as both teams enter the 2025 season with high expectations. Head coach Nick Sirianni will be tasked with leading a title defense charge, as opposing teams will have the Eagles circled on their calendars with hopes of taking down the reigning champion.
Dallas has been in the headlines recently, as they dealt away superstar pass rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers after deciding not to pay him top-of-the-line money despite his two All-Pro honors in four seasons. They got back three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark, who will aid in helping against the run.
That has been a significant deficiency for the Cowboys in recent years, as they allowed 137.1 rush yards per game (17th in the league) last season and 112.35 yards per game in 2023. That’s precisely where Philadelphia excels offensively, as they were second in the NFL last season in rushing for 179.3 yards per game.
Star running back Saquon Barkley is back after a banner 2024 campaign: 345 carries, 2,005 yards, and 13 touchdowns. He capped it off by running for 442 yards in the Eagles’ postseason run.
It’s hard to see a complete flip in the run-stopping abilities for Dallas, potentially spelling doom for them as the game wears on. Offensively, for the Cowboys, they’ll be heavily reliant on quarterback Dak Prescott and the pass game. Their running back room, headlined by former Denver Broncos’ Javonte Williams, is arguably the weakest unit on the roster.
Meanwhile, the wide receiver room has the potential to be the strongest, as they’ll trot out a star-studded duo of CeeDee Lamb (1,194 yards, six touchdowns last season) and newly acquired wide receiver George Pickens (900 yards, three touchdowns with the Pittsburgh Steelers).
Across from them will be a capable secondary in second-year cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. Both were key pieces in Philadelphia’s Super Bowl run and will be expected to step up even more with a second year in the organization. The Eagles’ wide receiver duo is no slouch as well. AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith combined for 1,912 yards and 15 touchdowns last season, giving quarterback Jalen Hurts two Pro Bowl-caliber receivers to throw to.
Throughout this game, several intriguing matchups are present. But looking beyond that at the overall depth between the two teams, Philadelphia wins out in a landslide. They’re far better in the trenches on both sides of the ball, have a much more talented secondary, and have potentially the best running game in the NFL.
The Eagles will open the season with a healthy dose of Barkley carries, running all over an undermanned Cowboys run defense. In front of a home crowd, Philadelphia runs away with this one in the second half.
Prediction: Eagles 27, Cowboys 13