A lot has been made over the last few days about the disrespectful rankings that Philadelphia Eagles offensive stars Jalen Hurts and DeVonta Smith got.
ESPN NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler wrapped up his survey of league personnel, ranking the best players at each position. Hurts ended up 17th among NFL quarterbacks, while Smith was all the way down at 22.
During the Fanatics Fan Fest event in New York, Eagles All-Pro cornerback Cooper DeJean was asked about his thoughts on their low rankings. DeJean isn't concerned about those, as he knows what Hurts and Smith bring to the table for his team.
“I don’t really think that matters when it comes to production on the field and what they do for our team. Those guys are great leaders in our locker room.”
Cooper DeJean talked about Jalen Hurts and DeVonta Smith's leadership
Hurts and Smith have always been two guys who keep out of the media, keep their heads down, and focus on what is best for the team. Eagles fans never see Smith complaining about a lack of targets or Hurts being a diva despite the bad press around him in the offseason. They are too important to what the franchise needs right now.
Last season, Hurts did not have his best season, but it is far from being worthy of him being ranked 17th. He still threw for over 3,200 yards and a career-high 25 touchdowns, adding another eight scores on the ground for his third career Pro Bowl selection.
Smith was the leading receiver on the Eagles, gaining 1,008 yards. No one seemed to notice it outside of Philly since all the attention was on former receiver A.J. Brown with his complaints about the team and his desire to get off it.
Stats can't be everything, but they should somewhat be a part of the conversation. If football fans use the eye test, Hurts should be considered closer to the top 10 than he is, and Smith is no doubt a top 10 talent with his hand-eye coordination and his ability to make all the catches.
The 2026 season is massive for both guys, as they have a lot they need to prove to themselves, the Eagles, and the rest of the NFL. Hurts is working with his seventh play-caller in seven years, so he needs to show that he can adjust to any system. Smith has big shoes to fill as the new number-one receiver and make everyone forget about Brown.
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There will be pressure on Hurts and Smith, but these rankings don't mean anything when they are the catalyst for the Eagles winning games year after year.
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