Fantasy football players felt immense frustration with the Philadelphia Eagles’ pass catchers in early weeks of the season, but it seems they’re back on the menu moving forward with the team throwing the ball more as of late. Unfortunately, A.J. Brown has been ruled out for Week 8 due to a hamstring issue, but the next man must step up as always the case in the NFL.
After a career-best game last week, is DeVonta Smith a must-start wide receiver this week in fantasy football?
Analysis
As mentioned in the intro, the Eagles drove fantasy managers up the wall to open the campaign thanks to an uninspired offense with some of the lowest passing volume of any franchise. Jalen Hurts threw for 202 or fewer yards in each of the first four games, with 144 or fewer in three of those. Given the lack of emphasis on the aerial attack, it’s not shocking that DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown posted numerous outings far below expectations of fantasy drafts that saw them selected in the early-to-middle rounds, much less that they struggled to even crack double-digit fantasy points. Smith himself quickly ended up on benches in many leagues as he finished with 4.6, 9.3, and 4.9 PPR points in three of those first four games.
However, the Eagles have realized that perhaps the offense should operate in present day rather than 1975. The passing game now looks like a greater focus with at least 257 passing yards in three straight contests, including 316 this past week against a strong Minnesota Vikings defense. Across those three games, Smith has now finished with 19.4, 8.9, and 33.3 PPR points. In his most recent appearance, he torched the Vikings’ secondary with nine catches for 183 yards and a touchdown on his 11 targets… how’s that for a ceiling game?
Ever since Brown came to town three seasons ago, Smith has operated as second fiddle in the Eagles’ passing attack. He’s clearly one of the most talented pass catchers in the league and certainly in the upper echelon of real-world WR2s, so it’s fair that some folks in the fantasy community have wondered what the former Heisman Trophy winner could do as the lead option on his own team. Well, those people will see the question answered with Brown sidelined for Week 8’s tilt against the New York Giants.
Fantasy managers who roster Smith find themselves in quite a nice spot. While tight end Dallas Goedert and WR3 Jahan Dotson may see some additional opportunities, neither player brings the same level of talent that Smith does. Per Reception Perception, the 26-year-old graded out in the 95th percentile against man coverage last season and 91st percentile against press. His 76th-percentile score against zone coverage is also above average, so the opportunity to earn more targets is one the wideout remains quite capable of capitalizing on. This isn’t some benchwarmer getting looks — he’s genuinely one of the most underrated talents in the NFL.
Against a Giants defense that allows the fourth-most fantasy points to wide receivers (24.57), Smith is in prime position to showcase his talents. He posted four catches for 49 yards last time he faced this unit but now has the chance to soak up far more targets than the five he saw in the Week 6 matchup. Without any other top-tier receiving talent around him, the wideout should see at least eight targets in this game, if not more. He’s a threat to haul in a deep ball any given week as well, so between big-play ability and increased target share, Smith can produce like a fantasy WR1 in this game. He’s an easy smash start for Week 8 and belongs in every single lineup regardless of format.
