The Philadelphia Eagles didn’t get to see DeVonta Smith catch passes from Jalen Hurts in his preseason debut, the only unfortunate part of a night where the wide receiver looked well beyond his years. Smith was the bright spot in an anemic performance by the Eagles offense in the first half, one which the majority of the snaps were taken by second-team players. Hurts was a late scratch due to a non-COVID illness.
The projected starting wide receivers took all of the first-half snaps for the Eagles — Smith, Jalen Reagor, and Quez Watkins. Smith finished with just two catches for 19 yards, but his route-running was crisp on each of his four targets. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner was able to create separation with ease and got himself open when the ball was coming his way.
Smith’s first catch in the NFL went for just 9 yards, but the hitch route he ran looked similar to prime Isaac Bruce with the St. Louis Rams. Joe Flacco found Smith on a first-and-10, turning a 5-yard gain into 9.
Later in the second quarter, Flacco found Smith for a 10-yard gain on third-and-4 in the flat that moved the chains, which was another polished route by the rookie against New England Patriots cornerback Michael Jackson.
Smith looked to be running a slant at first before changing direction and heading to the flat, helping Flacco find him easily. The press coverage from Jackson didn’t matter as Smith easily gained separation and got the first down. Smith also got open on his first target of the night, but Flacco delivered late resulting in an incompletion.
Eagles wide receivers were targeted eight times in the first half, but Smith was the only one to make an impact. The numbers for Smith, Reagor, and Watkins probably would have been better with Hurts at quarterback and a first-team offensive line — which the Eagles don’t appear ready to unveil until the season opener against the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 12.
Smith catching passes from Hurts in the second preseason game would have been ideal, but the rookie turned in a good performance in his debut. Not bad for a player listed as “week to week” with a sprained MCL just a week ago.
KVSP