5 second-year Eagles poised for huge sophomore seasons in 2022
player. 54. . . . DeVonta Smith. 6
Expect even more production from DeVonta Smith and Kenneth Gainwell in this Eagles offense.
He’s going to need help. Philadelphia can’t just line up for the next three years with DeVonta Smith on the outside with no complement on the other side of the formation and expect Number 6 to perform miracles, but the 2020 Heisman Trophy winner is off to a great start. He’s definitely worth the price of admission and the top-ten draft choice Philly spent on him.
In year one, he set the franchise record for most receiving yards in a single season by a rookie moving past DeSean Jackson in the process, and he was still learning the game. Year two could be a breakout, but the results will also be contingent on how Jalen Hurts has evolved as a passer.
54. . . . Kenneth Gainwell. 14. player
When Philadelphia landed Kenneth Gainwell with the 150th-overall selection during Round 5 of the 2021 NFL Draft, words like ‘steal’ were being thrown around. He appeared in 16 regular-season games with one start, tallying 291 yards and five touchdowns on 68 carries. He added another 253 yards and a receiving touchdown on 33 snags.
He’s vowed that he’ll have a phenomenal season as a sophomore. We have no reason to believe that he won’t deliver on his promise. Buckle up. He should be fun to watch.