NFL Rankings: Eagles among top WR duos after three weeks
Two years ago today, the Philadelphia Eagles deployed a much different wide-receiver group.
In this specific game, the Eagles ended up punting in overtime against the Bengals, in which the final result was a tie. Their receivers consisted of Greg Ward Jr., Deontay Burnett, and John Hightower.
Two years later, Philadelphia now has a much more competent core of pass-catchers: former Heisman trophy winner DeVonta Smith, the best 3rd-down receiver in the league, A.J. Brown, and speedster Quez Watkins.
Three weeks into the 2022 season, the birds’ offense currently ranks number one in total yards, primarily due to the elite duo on the outside. Brown and Smith bring a versatile skillset to the passing game, but the most impressive trait is their toughness and ability to snag contested balls.
🎥 Every catch from DeVonta Smith's career-high performance vs. Washington pic.twitter.com/BvLa4kI8MD
— Victor Williams (@ThePhillyPod) September 26, 2022
NFL Receiving Leaders 2022 (first three weeks)
| 1. Stefon Diggs (BUF) | YDS: 344 |
| 2. Jaylen Waddle (MIA) | YDS: 342 |
| 3. Tyreek Hill (MIA) | YDS: 317 |
| 4. A.J. Brown (PHI) | YDS: 309 |
| 5. Courtland Sutton (DEN) | YDS: 291 |
| 6. Cooper Kup (LAR) | YDS: 280 |
| 7. Chris Olave (NO) | YDS: 268 |
| 8. Christian Kirk (JAX) | YDS: 267 |
| 9. Ammon-Ra St. Brown (DET) | YDS: 253 |
| 10. Marquise Brown (ARI) | YDS: 251 |
| 11. DeVonta Smith (PHI) | YDS: 249 |
| 12. Justin Jefferson (MIN) | YDS: 246 |
So far, the Eagles’ top two receivers are in the top 11 for receiving yards. A.J. Brown cracked the top 5, and DeVonta Smith is just outside the top 10. However, it’s worth noting that he has more yards and higher yards per catch than Justin Jefferson thus far.
DeVonta started the season very slowly, not recording a single reception in week 1. However, since then, he’s been dominant. In week two, he finished with seven catches for 80 yards. In week 3, Smith had 156 yards in the first half alone.
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There’s an argument to be made that the Philadelphia Eagles have the best wide receiver tandem in the league. Right now, it’s between them and the electric duo in Miami of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Most people would probably go with the Dolphins duo right now, but it will be very interesting to see how this competition plays out the rest of the season.
If I were to predict, I would say the Dolphins duo finishes with more yards, but that says more about the versatility and depth of the Eagles’ offense than anything else. Philadelphia’s tight end Dallas Goedert is currently on pace for 952 receiving yards by the end of the season. You factor in the ground attack led by Hurts and Sanders as well; there’s only so much to go around for everyone.
It’s a small sample size, but Brown is on pace for 1,751 receiving yards, and Smith is on pace for 1,411 yards. It’s truly unbelievable how much better this position group has improved in just two years.
Leading WR duos this season:
— Victor Williams (@ThePhillyPod) September 27, 2022
• T. Hill & J. Waddle (MIA) — 659 yards
• AJ Brown & D. Smith (PHI) — 558 yards
• C. Kirk & Zay Jones (JAX) — 440 yards
• C. Olave & M. Thomas (NO) — 439 yards pic.twitter.com/H0Cvw1pnAG
Mandatory Credit: Getty Images
