Eagles WRs A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith crack a list of the best duos in NFL history
Time flies, huh? And, just like that, we have turned the page from July to August. Summertime represents new beginnings during every NFL season. The Philadelphia Eagles have begun the process of evaluating a 90-man training camp roster with the intent of trimming their ranks to 53 players on the gameday roster and a 16-man practice squad. One of the units everyone has their eye on is the wide receiver corps.
A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith are the studs on the outside. Olamide Zaccheaus and Quez Watkins will make the roster which, in all likelihood, means Greg Ward, Deon Cain, Tyrie Cleveland, Charleston Rambo, Britain Covey, Joseph Ngata, and Jadon Haselwood are competing for two roster spots.
Devon Allen is on the Active/Non-Football Injury list, so he counts against the roster now but won't if he is still there when the regular season begins.
We wouldn't dare argue with the great Merrill Reese. He once named DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, and Jason Avant as the best Eagles wide receiver trio he has seen. Something tells us that, if Philly finds a great slot performer, the new guys can give anyone a run for their money, and by the looks of things, based on a recent write-up we came across by some friends of ours, we may not be only people who feel that way.
The 33rd team gives Eagles stars A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith a tip of the cap, one with historical significance.
Here's something you'll enjoy. The 33rd Team's Elliott Kalb recently dropped his list of the top wide receiver duos in NFL history. A.J. and DeVonta took up residency at 11. Former Eagles pass catcher Cris Carter and his longtime running mate Randy Moss landed in the top spot. Here's the top ten in full.
- Randy Moss & Cris Carter, Minnesota Vikings
- Jerry Rice & John Taylor, S.F. 49ers
- Randy Moss & Wes Welker, N.E. Patriots
- Larry Fitzgerald & Anquan Boldin, Arizona Cardinals
- Ja’Marr Chase & Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
- Marvin Harrison & Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts
- Mark Clayton & Mark Duper, Miami Dolphins
- Lynn Swann & John Stallworth, Pittsburgh Steelers
- Isaac Bruce & Torry Holt, Saint Louis Rams
- Tyreek Hill & Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins
What do you think? If you'd move a few names around, don't worry. You're not alone. Check out Kalb's explanation for giving Swole and Skinny Batman a mention.
"The top nine duos on this list had to perform at a high level for more than one year. But surely there is a place for some active duos, including Philadelphia’s A.J.Brown and DeVonta Smith... Remember Super Bowl LVII? Brown and Smith were targeted a combined 17 times. They had 13 receptions for 196 yards (100 for Smith, 96 for Brown) with a touchdown. "
A.J.'s first season in Philly led to the highest receiving yards total in franchise history (1,496 yards). Mike Quick had previously set the standard in 1983 and owned the record for almost four decades.
DeVonta enters year three with the Birds after claiming the franchise record for receiving yards by a rookie in his first season. For an encore, the last time we saw him, he racked up 95 snags during last year's regular season campaign.
Those 95 grabs represent the most receptions by a wide receiver in a single season in franchise history. With him and A.J. leading this unit again in 2023, it seems obvious that Jalen Hurts is in store for another phenomenal campaign.
Check out these other Eagles stories if you're interested.
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