DeVonta Smith Is a Value at Wide Receiver in Fantasy Football Drafts

Picking the No. 2 receiving option in certain offenses for your fantasy football team is sometimes better than getting the top option in other offenses.

That's what the Philadelphia Eagles have with DeVonta Smith.

Smith had his breakout year in 2022 while sliding into the No. 2 role after the Eagles acquired A.J. Brown, but he proved that he's just as viable of a starting receiver. That was true to a point where there should be an argument this season that Smith, not Brown, is the one you want the most this season.

Here's a look at Smith's fantasy football projections and outlook for the season.

DeVonta Smith Fantasy Football Projection

(Projections via numberFire)

2023 Projected Points: 197.7 points (207.1 in 2022)
numberFire Positional Projection: WR18
2023 Projected Stats:

• 91.0 receptions
• 140.6 targets
• 1,120.8 receiving yards
• 6.8 receiving TDs

DeVonta Smith Fantasy Football Outlook

Breakout Sophomore Season

The former Heisman winner had the breakout season the Eagles were looking for in 2022, showing why he was the 10th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Entering the season with a lot to prove after Philadelphia acquired A.J. Brown to pair beside him, Smith was the ultimate value for fantasy owners.

The Alabama product was going off the board as the WR35 before finishing the season as the WR9. Smith put up 95 receptions, 1,196 receiving yards, and 7 receiving touchdowns -- a No. 1 receiver-type season as he was drafted to deliver. Smith's WR9 season included 207.1 half-point PPR points with an average of 12.2 points per week.

The leveling up of Jalen Hurts helped Smith just as much, so 2023 is going to be huge for the 24-year-old receiver.

This has created supreme optimism for Smith. He has the potential to be the Eagles' top option this season because he and Brown were so close a year ago.

Is A.J. Brown Actually The Better Option?

The true answer? Maybe, but it's worth a conversation at the end of the day.

Right now in fantasy drafts, Brown is going as the WR7 in drafts while Smith is going as the WR13, which is nearly a round and a half later. It makes sense seeing that Brown had the better overall season and has a more proven track record.

However, we should take into consideration two things:

1. Brown's injury history
2. The difference between their seasons after Week 1

While Brown played in every game in 2022, he had missed six games in his two prior seasons when he was a member of the Tennessee Titans.

The other factor to consider is the difference one week made -- that being Week 1 of the season. In his regular season debut, Brown finished with 10 receptions on 13 targets, going for 155 yards. Smith, on the other hand, had zero catches on four targets.

If we take the stats and fantasy points out from Week 1 for both players, here's a look at their seasons:

Brown still was able to outscore him with four more touchdowns -- which is a big reason why --but Smith had more receptions and one less target. That speaks to how great he truly was in a season that felt like it was all about Brown.

When it comes to the Eagles wideouts, you're winning with either of them on your fantasy team. Getting to wait and pick Smith a bit later might be the key edge your fantasy team needs, though.

Final Verdict: Value Pick in the Year of Wide Receivers

Undervalued and being a third-round pick might be a bit much, but with DeVonta Smith entering his third season in the league, there's a good chance his best has yet to come.

Even as the No. 2 receiver on his team, there's enough in what we saw last season that it really is more of a 1A/1B situation when we are talking about these two receivers. Jalen Hurts and the Eagles come into the season geared for another great year, and these two are firmly in a situation that mirrors that of Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Smith is currently projected by numberFire to finish as the WR18 with 197.7 points, trailing the likes of Mike Williams and Calvin Ridley -- notably behind Higgins, who most of us would argue has a much clearer obstacle to being his team's top guy.

On FantasyPros, Smith has an average draft position (ADP) of 26.5 and is being drafted as the WR13 just after Chris Olave. This ranks him as a high WR2, which feels like an acceptable ranking for Smith with the upside still so high.

In FanDuel best-ball leagues, Smith is going as the 13th receiver off the board as well with a 28.8 ADP. Only Jaylen Waddle is ahead of Smith in terms of No. 2 wideouts, and that might be his best position.

Overall, Smith is a third-rounder and presents a value for for drafters on their draft night -- especially if they choose to go running back in either of the first two rounds (or both) in lieu of a top wideout like A.J. Brown.

Smith is a guy you want from that spot. The third-year boom for wide receivers at his caliber (see Justin Jefferson last season) often go nuclear with peak familiarity in the offense, and the former Heisman Trophy winner has a chance to explode.

While you wait for Week 1's daily fantasy football slates to lock, you can get in on some best-ball fantasy football drafts on FanDuel, as well. Just draft your team and watch the points pile up throughout the season.

The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.