The Philadelphia Eagles signed wide receiver DeVonta Smith to a three-year, $75 million contract extension this offseason. While Smith was rewarded for his success through three seasons with the Eagles, Week 1 was proof that he is still expanding his game.
Thanks to the arrival of new Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, Smith’s role changed drastically in Philadelphia’s regular season opener.
DeVonta Smith Thrives in the Slot for the Eagles in Week 1
Despite being listed at 6’0″ and 170 pounds, Smith has primarily lined up on the outside as a wide receiver throughout his career at both Alabama and with the Eagles.
While Smith has had plenty of success in the NFL, many have questioned why the Eagles didn’t utilize the 25-year-old wide receiver more in the slot. In his first three seasons in Philadelphia, Smith lined up in the slot on just 24.1% of his snaps with the Eagles.
With Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni surrendering full control of the offense to Moore in 2024, Smith’s role was significantly different in Week 1.
In Smith’s debut in Moore’s offense, he lined up in the slot on 70.7% of his snaps against the Green Bay Packers, according to Pro Football Focus. Smith’s previous career high in a single game was when he lined up in the slot on 56.8% of his snaps against the New York Giants in 2022.
Smith caught four of his five targets for 58 yards when lined up in the slot against the Packers. Smith totaled 42 yards after the catch on those four receptions and averaged 4.3 yards of separation when targeted in the slot, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.
Smith Steps Up in Crunch Time Against Packers
The Eagles held a 31-29 lead over the Packers with 2:23 remaining in the fourth quarter. Despite struggling with turnovers early in the game, Jalen Hurts found Smith when it mattered most.
On 2nd-and-13, Hurts connected with Smith on a huge 16-yard completion to reach Green Bay’s 19-yard line. That wasn’t the duo’s only clutch connection in Week 1.
Two plays later, with 2:10 remaining in the fourth quarter, Hurts targeted Smith once again for an 11-yard gain on 2nd-and-8.
That final connection allowed the Eagles to milk the clock and force the Packers to use their remaining timeouts. Ultimately settling for a field goal and extending Philadelphia’s lead to 34-29.
According to TruMedia, Smith had the fourth-most receiving yards (27) in the fourth quarter among all players in Week 1. Smith also had the fourth-most yards after the catch (20) in the fourth quarter among all players in Week 1.
Overall, Smith was the third-most efficient pass catcher with eight or more targets in Week 1. Smith caught 87.5% of his eight targets in the NFL’s first week of the regular season.
Only Chris Godwin and Devaughn Vele caught a higher percentage of their targets while being targeted eight or more times in Week 1.
After Smith’s debut game in Moore’s offense, it’s clear that his role is expanding this season. If Smith can continue to grow and thrive as a slot wide receiver for the Eagles, he may have to consider changing his nickname from “Slim Reaper” to “Slot Reaper” in 2024.