Pro Football Focus released their rankings for the top receivers in the league for the 2022 season. Among the names are two Eagles wide receivers who will certainly make an impact in Philadelphia.
Ranked in one of five categories, newcomer AJ Brown sits as a “Tier 2” receiver at No. 10, and second-year Devonta Smith is a “Tie 5” at No. 31.
TWO EAGLES WIDE RECEIVERS RANKED AS NFL’S BEST
AJ Brown
Surprisingly, Brown wasn’t ranked in Pro Football Focus’ “Tier 1”. Marked as a “Young talent on the cusp of Tier 1”, AJ Brown was formerly with the Tennessee Titans.
The Titans drafted him in the second-round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He began his career producing over 1,000 receiving yards in two consecutive seasons. In 2021, Brown completed 63 receptions for 869 yards and give touchdowns. Despite finishing with a career-low, Brown only played in 13 regular season games.
Brown and the Titans were unable to come to terms regarding a contract extension and the Eagles picked up a monster of a player to add to their roster. Brown was traded to Philadelphia in return for the 18th overall pick, and a third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. The Eagles signed Brown to a four-year, $100 million contract.
Now WR1, Brown will act as a complementary piece to Devonta Smith. Aside from ranking tenth on PFF’s list, Brown ranks in the top-five in both receiving grade and yards per route run in the league.
Above Smith on the Top-1o list were Davante Adams, Cooper Kupp, Deandre Hopkins, Stefon Diggs, Tyreek Hill, Ja’marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, Mike Evans, and Deebo Samuel.
Devonta Smith
Smith was ranked low at No. 31. PFF rated him as a “Tier 5: up-and-comer”, which seems low, but the Eagles are used to not getting the credit they deserve.
The Eagles drafted Smith with the No. 10 overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft. Despite a slow start to his rookie season, Smith finished with 64 receptions for 916 receiving yards and five touchdowns. His yardage set an Eagles rookie record for most receiving yards in a single season, surpassing former Eagles’ receiver DeSean Jackson.
For the 2022 season Smith will fall to WR2 to allow for AJ Brown; however, the duo has quickly become the most anticipated to watch.
Smith ranked above Darnell Mooney from the Chicago Bears, rounding out the Top-32 in the league.
