DeVonta Smith Struggles on Sunday Night, Future Role Under New OC Kellen Moore Examined

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith had a forgettable performance on Sunday Night Football, catching just one pass for eight yards on five targets in the 16-9 win over the Lions. This comes after a 2023 season where his target share dropped from 27.0% to 22.9%, despite posting a solid 81 receptions for 1,066 yards and seven touchdowns. The 25-year-old, a 2021 10th overall pick, has shown capability in beating press coverage and making contested catches. While his aDOT dropped with A.J. Brown taking more deep looks, his YPT remained steady. New offensive coordinator Kellen Moore is expected to keep running backs involved but also tends to be WR-friendly, potentially benefiting Smith. Despite the recent struggles, his age, talent, and rapport with Jalen Hurts make him a relatively safe fantasy pick. Smith had a strong rookie year and a career-high 95 catches for 1,196 yards in 2022, but his volume declined late in his rookie season when the Eagles became run-heavy.