Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith is proving his worth as one of the top weapons in his team's offensive arsenal. Fresh off consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, the former Alabama standout is continuing to refine his game and set a high bar for himself and his teammates.
A Rising Star
Smith's journey with the Eagles has been nothing short of impressive. With 240 receptions and a staggering 3,178 receiving yards over his first three seasons, Smith has cemented his place in Philadelphia's football history. These accomplishments make him the most productive receiver in the franchise's storied past, a feat that highlights his exceptional skill and consistency.
Training Camp Excellence
During this year's training camp, Smith has been a standout performer, consistently making catches and mastering his craft. His position coach, Aaron Moorhead, has been effusive in his praise of Smith’s efforts during these sessions. "He's had as good of a camp that he's had probably since I've been here with him. His confidence is through the roof, and he's continuing just to master his craft," Moorhead commented.
The impact of this high level of performance is not lost on Smith. Despite his successes, he remains dedicated to improvement, focusing particularly on situational awareness and his football IQ. "You always want to improve your football IQ. That's something you can always grow on. There might be situations we have this year that we didn't run into last year. So situational football and football IQ," Smith explained.
A Drive for Perfection
Smith’s determination goes beyond just racking up receptions and yardage. His approach is meticulous, with a clear emphasis on routine execution and continuous self-improvement. "Making sure I'm doing my job. If I'm open and the ball doesn't come to me, for me, that's a plus because at the end of the day I still did my job. I was open. So just going out there and making sure I'm putting the right things on tape," Smith shared.
Moorhead also highlighted Smith’s commitment to perfecting even the most fundamental aspects of his play. "There are plays I think every year he's been here he's left on the field for certain things, and just maybe a technique here, a technique there, and things that would've been big plays for us in games. He knows that," Moorhead said. "Just doing the routine things. The plays that I left on the field, there were routine things that I wasn't doing. Making sure that I'm constantly doing the routine things so that I'm capitalizing on every play."
Focus on Improvement
Despite his already impressive career, Smith maintains that there is always room for advancement. His mindset is one of persistent improvement and adaptation. "There's always room for improvement. Every year, you're gonna find something new that you're going to want to put in the toolbox," Smith said with his characteristic focus.
This drive for excellence is backed by the Eagles organization, as evidenced by Smith's recent contract extension worth $25 million per year. The commitment both parties share suggests a promising future for Smith and the team, with mutual goals firmly aimed at success and high performance.
As the season approaches, all eyes will be on DeVonta Smith to see how his efforts during training camp translate into on-field success. Both his high standards and Moorhead's acknowledgment of his talent and work ethic set the stage for what could be yet another record-breaking season for the young wide receiver.