Philadelphia Eagles: Watch DeVonta Smith’s first NFL touchdown

DeVonta Smith has been a member of the Philadelphia Eagles since April 29th, 2021.

He’s spent a whole summer in relatively normal training camp – a luxury his teammates like Jalen Reagor and Quez Watkins weren’t afforded last summer – showcased his impeccable route running abilities versus the New England Patriots in the preseason, and most importantly of all, made it into the regular season without suffering a major injury, which certainly has been a problem for Philly rookies as of late.

But frankly, none of that particularly matters until the live bullets start to fly.

How many times have you seen a rookie light it up in the preseason only to never be heard from again? In just recent Eagles memory, players like David Fluellen and Henry Josey come to mind and that’s just running backs from 2014. No, for the summer hype to become tangible, it needs to translate to primetime, when the points count and the yards are immortalized forever on the stat sheet.

Fortunately, it didn’t take long for DeVonta Smith to earn his first catch at the NFL level and it just so happens to have been the best first catch imaginable.

You have to watch DeVonta Smith’s first catch for the Philadelphia Eagles.

DeVonta Smith is a technician.

He runs crisp routes, has impeccable footwork, and nary cracks a smile when he’s putting in work. So naturally, on his first target in a midnight green uniform, it’s not particularly suspiring to see the former collegiate superstar rekindle his Alabama connection with Jalen Hurts for an easy 19-yard touchdown, right? I mean, logging 46 touchdowns in 47 games of action in Tuscaloosa, he’s sort of like the Terminator in that regard.

… what? You were in the bathroom, getting nachos, or walking your dog at the 6:24 mark of the first quarter? Well, fear not, for that fateful play has been immortalized forever in the first of a presumably massive highlight reel for the first Philadelphia Eagles receiver to wear the number 6 in the modern era.

See what I mean? In the words of The Bullet Club, that, my friends, is too sweet.

Running a routine go route, Smith’s defender gets caught up in an out route by noted space blocker Zach Ertz, which allows the former 10th overall pick to get separation and haul in a beautiful ball placed just over high right shoulder.

And what did Smith do to celebrate? Well, in typical Smitty fashion, nothing really. He was hugged by Ertz, picked up by new $64 million man, Jordan Mailata, and did a little handshake with his WR2, Jalen Reagor. Smith walked over to the sideline, where he chatted with his teammates and eagerly anticipated his next chance to do it all again.

Is Smith’s understated style a notable contrast to the bombastic, chaotic energy Philly fans are known for? Maybe so, but do you know what? If he keeps making plays like that, I think fans will adjust accordingly.

So DeVonta Smith, congratulations on your first NFL catch and touchdown. Let’s hope it’s the first of many in a Philadelphia Eagles jersey.