Eagles roster: Realistic expectations for A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith in 2023

The Dynamic Duo, better known as A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, is back. Wait! can there still be a Dynamic Duo if there's no 'Robin', or are we overthinking this? We'll get back to you on that seeing as how that might be the most insignificant aspect of everything that follows this next statement. The only guarantee with the 2023-2024 Philadelphia Eagles is there are no guarantees.

This team has the talent to get back to the NFL's biggest game and win it, but they may not. We hope they do. A lot has to happen though, and there's work to be done. Still, the reality of pro football is we know the bottom could fall out, and they could experience a first-round exit (or they could fail to qualify for the postseason). In terms of Philly's talent, we could talk about that all day.

Some of this team's best players could be in line for some amazing campaigns. Then again, they could miss significant time because of injuries. Let's hope not because we'd like to see a feat repeated in 2023 that we had never seen until the most recent NFL season, one that doubled as the 90th football campaign in Eagles history.

Never before had the Birds ended a regular season with two wide receivers eclipsing the 1,000-yard plateau, but with A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith on the roster, no one was shocked. The question is this. What might this amazing duo provide for an encore?

Fasten your seatbelts. We're glad that you asked.

Here are some realistic statistical expectations for A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith during the 2023-2024 Eagles regular season.

DeVonta Smith, in his first NFL season, set the Eagles rookie franchise record for receiving yards (916). His sophomore campaign saw nary a jinx. He hauled in more receptions than any other wide receiver had ever snagged in a Birds uniform (95). Tight end Zach Ertz still owns the franchise receptions record for any Eagles player regardless of position with 116, That's also an NFL record for tight ends.

Let's make long stories short. Expect another phenomenal showing by Skinny Batman in 2023. He's improving by leaps and bounds and hasn't hit his ceiling or his prime yet. He has averaged 13.3 yards per reception during his first two seasons. We're wagering on that being the benchmark again in 2023. Jalen Hurts will play all 17 games this season, and that will also help the bottom lane.

Predictions for DeVonta Smith: 100 receptions, 13.3 yards per reception, 1,330 yards, eight touchdowns

A.J. Brown's first season in midnight green went on without a hitch. Saying things began with a bang would be an understatement. He racked up 11 touchdown receptions. That tied a career high he set in 2020.

He also didn't miss a game. That's the first time he had accomplished that feat since his rookie season. Brown turns 26 years young on June 30th. In other words, he's still a young man with a lot of tread on the tire.

During a Week 10 home loss to the Washington Commanders, Number 11 was targeted four times and caught one pass for seven yards. That isn't happening again. Here's a bold prediction. Write it down.

In 2023, A.J. Brown will set a new standard, one he created. Last year, with 1,496 yards receiving he toppled the single-season record that had been owned by Mike Quick. This time around, he falls a little short of that total placing him just short of the 1,500-yard plateau. While we're being bold, here's another prediction. Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert reaches 1,000 yards receiving for the first time in his career.

Predictions for A.J. Brown: 95 receptions, 14.8 yards per reception, 1,406 yards receiving, ten touchdowns