NFC Contender Might Have to Trade Former Top-10 Pick

Earlier in the offseason, trade rumors surrounded the wide receiver duo of DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown. Brown was openly frustrated with Philadelphia’s playcalling and late-season collapse, while Smith was due for a contract extension in an ever-growing wide receiver market.

While Brown’s troubles appear to be in the past, the Eagles are not out of the woods with a potential DeVonta Smith trade. According to a recent report by ESPN’s Tim McManus, the team is trying to extend the former top-10 pick, but the two sides have yet to agree to terms.

As of this posting, the Philadelphia Eagles have over $31 million in salary cap space, which seemingly means they won’t need to trade DeVonta Smith. However, that number is a little misleading, as the Eagles backloaded the contracts of star players like Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, and Landon Dickerson.

Will the Philadelphia Eagles Have to Trade DeVonta Smith?

The Eagles have the short-term cap space to extend their homegrown wide receiver. However, with all these exploding cap hits, it’s going to be difficult for the 2026 Philadelphia Eagles to build a competitive roster with DeVonta Smith on the roster, so they could trade him now for a large return. Seeing as they already have a star receiver in A.J. Brown, Smith could be expendable.

Even though he’s not as good as Brown, teams should be lining up for the opportunity to trade for DeVonta Smith. The Alabama product has eliminated all doubt about if he’s too small to play in the NFL, as the three-year veteran has recorded 240 receptions for 3,178 yards and 19 touchdowns since entering the league. Smith’s route running allows him to easily get open against any coverage, and he’d be a great weapon for any team in the league.

Possible Trade Destinations

Buffalo Bills

After trading Stefon Diggs, the Buffalo Bills have a small collection of good-but-not-great pass-catching weapons in Curtis Samuel, Dalton Kincaid, and Khalil Shakir. These three are in depth options, but the Bills should trade for a true WR1 like DeVonta Smith. Even though he spent the past two years playing second fiddle to Brown, Smith’s 900-yard rookie season shows he has what it takes to be the top option in a passing attack.

Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens need more offensive firepower if they want to come out of top in the AFC. Last year, the Ravens gave Lamar Jackson two reliable receivers and he responded with an MVP season. DeVonta Smith is better than the unofficially departed Odell Beckham, so Jackson should be even more efficient if the Ravens trade for him.

Los Angeles Chargers

Justin Herbert is a top-five quarterback in the NFL, but nobody can produce a top-five offense without any reliable weapons. Quentin Johnston and Josh Palmer are easily the most underwhelming receiver duo in football, and recent reports indicate that the Chargers will take a tackle with their first-round pick. Assuming they trade back to do this, they could use the extra picks to trade for DeVonta Smith. With Jim Harbaugh representing a massive improvement on Brandon Staley, this could be enough to put this team in the playoffs.

Kansas City Chiefs

With Rashee Rice staring down eight charges, the Chiefs shouldn’t plan on having their second-round pick in the lineup next year. Marquise Brown is a good deep threat and Travis Kelce is still one of the best tight ends in football, but Kansas City needs more than this if they want to win their third championship in as many seasons. A DeVonta Smith trade will give the Chiefs the offensive firepower they need to once again hoist the Lombardi Trophy.

Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers are doing their best to give Bryce Young a fighting chance in 2024. With the offensive line fortified and Diontae Johnson in town, Young actually stands a chance in the upcoming season. The Alabama product could succeed with the supporting cast, but he could thrive if the Panthers trade for DeVonta Smith. Carolina should have never included D.J. Moore in their trade for the first-overall pick, and now they have a chance to rectify that mistake.