Philadelphia Eagles: 5 DeVonta Smith matchups to circle on your calendar

The newest big-name member of the Philadelphia Eagles receiving core, the selection of Alabama’s Devonta Smith in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft turned some heads around the NFL and Eagles fanbase alike.

Many analysts had Philly pinned as a team that was targeting a new quarterback or a new lineman, making the eventual trade-up for Smith that much more surprising.

New Philadelphia Eagles WR DeVonta Smith will be put to the test this season during 5 main matchups.

While it’s still an unknown if Smith will be able to thrive in the NFL with his rather undersized frame, he’ll have plenty of chances to flip the narrative during his rookie season. Five matchups really stick out to me in particular when looking at the Eagles’ schedule:

Trevon Diggs, Cowboys, Week 3

With their first matchup set to take place in Week 3, Smith will get an opportunity to square off against former ‘Bama teammate Trevon Diggs and the Dallas Cowboys.

Obviously, the intense rivalry that exists between the Eagles and the Cowboys adds some extra pressure to the whole ordeal (a good way for Smith to make a solid first impression in Philly is by torching the Cowboys!), but Diggs should also be better equipped than most when it comes to guarding Smith.

Diggs and Smith were teammates at Alabama for three years – one can only assume they’ve performed plenty of practice reps against each other.

Diggs didn’t have the best of rookie seasons and the Dallas defense projects to be abysmal once again this season, but Diggs did record three interceptions last season and has 35+lbs on Smith from a bodyweight standpoint. It should be a fun matchup to follow.