DeVonta Smith is back in the driver’s seat, reclaiming his status as the clear No. 1 wide receiver for the Eagles, a spot he hasn’t held since his rookie year. This isn’t just a feel-good story; with A.J. Brown now in New England, Smith is poised for a massive 2026, and the odds makers are already weighing in on who will come out on top between the former teammates.
The Philly Shake-Up: Smith’s Solo Spotlight
Okay, so let’s rewind a sec. DeVonta Smith exploded onto the scene, right? Heisman Trophy winner in 2020, then immediately snagged the No. 1 receiver spot for the Eagles as a rookie in 2021. And he delivered, hauling in 64 balls for a solid 916 yards and five touchdowns across 16 starts. Those are some serious “big-time” numbers for a first-year player, no doubt. But then, *boom*, A.J. Brown arrives via trade before the 2022 season, and suddenly, Smith wasn’t the undisputed top dog anymore. They became this incredible two-headed monster on the outside, sharing the spotlight, but Brown was almost universally viewed as the primary threat.
Fast forward to now, and that dynamic has totally flipped. Brown is officially gone, traded to New England in June. He’s now set to be the top receiving option for quarterback Drake Maye, lining up alongside former Packers wideout Romeo Doubs, who put up 724 yards and six scores in Green Bay last season. This means Smith is back where he started: the clear, top-tier wideout for the Eagles. He won’t be flying solo in Philly, though. They’ve brought in rookie Makai Lemon, the 20th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, who tore it up at USC last season with 1,156 receiving yards and 11 TDs. So, Smith’s got a new running mate, but there’s no question who the main man is again.
Show Me The Numbers! What The Odds Say About 2026
Now, let’s look at the numbers these two put up when they were teammates, because it really sets the stage for 2026. In their first season together, 2022, Smith was awesome, registering 1,176 yards and seven scores in 17 starts. But Brown? He went absolutely nuclear, tallying 1,496 yards and 11 touchdowns in 16 starts. That monster year earned him his second career Pro Bowl selection and second-team All-Pro honors. Then in 2023, Brown kept the pedal down, putting up 1,456 yards and another seven TDs in 16 starts, once again grabbing those same accolades. Smith also had a strong 2023, hitting 1,066 yards and seven TDs in 16 starts. The 2024 season saw Brown secure yet another second-team All-Pro nod with 1,079 yards and seven touchdowns over 13 starts. Smith wasn’t far behind, going for 833 yards and eight scores in 13 starts that year. And get this, last season, their receiving yards totals were practically identical: Smith had 1,008 yards and four TDs, while Brown posted 1,003 yards and seven TDs. Talk about splitting hairs!
So, with all that history, what do the wise guys at DraftKings Sportsbook say about 2026? When it comes to *most regular-season receiving yards*, Brown is currently favored at -125. That means you’d need to bet $10 to win $18 total. But Smith isn’t far behind at -105, which would net you $19.52 total on a $10 bet. It’s tight! For *most regular-season receiving touchdowns*, the gap widens a bit. Brown is a pretty heavy favorite at -200, so a $10 bet wins $15 total. However, if you’re looking for a bigger payout, Smith’s got some serious value at +155, which means a $10 bet could bring back $25.50 total. Those odds really tell you how Vegas sees this battle playing out, favoring Brown slightly in total yards, but making him a much stronger favorite for TDs.
With Smith stepping back into the lead role and Brown heading up a new offense, it’s clear the stage is set for a wild ride. The numbers show both guys can absolutely produce. Smith’s back as the undisputed top target, and Brown’s got a fresh start with a new QB. Which one lives up to the hype and the Vegas numbers? That’s what we’ll be watching all season. Get ready, because 2026 is going to be a battle on the stat sheet!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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