The Eagles-Falcons game didn’t make the main screen when I was watching the onslaught of action on Sunday. And I’ll admit it wasn’t even part of my frantic channel switching routine when a commercial came up on the game I was watching.
But when I finally got my hands on copies of the all-22 coaches film from this past weekend of games through the international black market, Eagles-Falcons was the first game I put on.
Why?
DeVonta Smith.
Smith doesn’t need much introduction, he’s the reigning Heisman Trophy-winner after all. But his time with the Eagles has been (relatively) quiet so far in terms of being the topic of discussion for football fans taking a look at the national landscape. For those who haven’t taken a peek at Smith since his time at Alabama, it’s almost jarring how little dropoff his game showed during the preseason and week 1. Highlighted by a touchdown early in the game:
This was a well-designed concept that was designed to beat man coverage with Smith getting some help from a pick. And yes, it’s the Falcons defense so you have to take all offensive successes from this game with a grain of salt.
This is still a great clip to see how uneasy Smith makes CBs feel when they are pressed against him. He is constantly attacking north on his releases, always gaining ground and up into the CB. There are countless WRs who will patter their feet and try to juke the CB off the line of scrimmage and will expose their chest to more physical corners who will stop them in their tracks.
Look at Smith releasing versus press in the slot here. You can see him working upfield as he is releasing. And it keeps the pressed CB off-balanced:
The Eagles had Smith align mostly outside during the preseason before featuring him in the slot against the Falcons, where his route running and feel for space shined. Here is a sequence of catches for Smith, all coming from the same drive in the 2nd quarter where he got to operate both inside & out:
These first two routes - both ending up as Inside Hitches but from different alignments - are great snapshots of Smith’s feel for space. The first clip he shows good patience and watch how quickly he’s able to get upfield after the catch. Smith is such a fluid mover and gains ground so quickly.
On the second clip (bottom) from the slot, look how Smith widens his release to find the soft spot. He doesn’t just run straight up towards the defender and get himself covered. Instead making it an easy pitch & catch for QB Jalen Hurts.
Still on the same drive, here is another clip of Smith working from the slot:
He tempos his route to try and make the LB feel uneasy. But the best part of this route is at the very end. See how Smith works down at the very end?
That’s so, so good from Smith. He feels the LB hanging with him so he makes himself friendly towards the QB by working down and away. If he drifts up field or keeps maintaining his path, that could be a possible undercut from the LB if the throw isn’t perfect. This is technique, talent, and awareness all wrapped into one little short route.
His route running is already top-notch. It really is. Both from the slot and when working from the outside. It’s the Falcons defense, but the ability he showed in college to beat press did not appear to dip whatsoever. He understands getting to his depth and I want to keep reiterating his feel in space and how friendly to the QB he is with his routes.
Watch him work to his depth and then back down to the QB before reaching out and snatching the throw (another trait he showed in college). Look how he uncovers a bit to find the space:
Even routes where he doesn’t get a target are impressive. Compare his Hinge route up top to the Eagles WR at the bottom of the screen:
Smith consistently shows a high football IQ and feel for the game, not only for a rookie and not only for a WR but for any type of football player. He’s an outstanding route runner already and his understanding of concepts and the game of football is on display constantly:
This is taught to every WR. Yell out “Cat!” to try and give the OL & QB a heads-up that a CB is coming on a pressure. I would say maybe half of all WRs actually end up doing it in a game. Smith did it in the first half in the first game in a 2 minute situation as a rookie.
It’s such a good sign that Smith is positively effecting the game when he’s not even getting targeted. Not only by the “Cat” example, but also his effort when running routes where he’s not the primary target and when blocking for his teammates.
Oh yes, we have blocking clips.
The Eagles started the game with two Bubble packaged plays vs. the Falcons and Smith’s blocking was a huge key to opening up space for his teammate. Look at him driving his feet and fighting:
And later in the game we again get a snapshot into Smith’s awareness via his blocking. Here he recognizes the late rotation by the Falcons DBs and ends up pinning what would be the Falcons force player (CBs are taught to try and turn everything back inside. Getting pinned from the outside is an “uh oh” moment) and springs open the sideline.
It’s rare to see a rookie WR step in and play like this. Smith doesn’t appear to look like a dominant force at first glance but he positively effects the game every time he’s on the field. He has great technique and understanding of his routes and the game of football. He is a very good athlete athlete with rare hands (those drops in preseason are not worrisome given what he showed in college). And to top it off he plays extremely tough and his competitiveness oozes off the screen.
I was extremely high on DeVonta Smith in the draft process (he was my WR1) and it might only be week 1 against the Falcons. But nothing I have seen so far makes me waver off my high expectations for him as a pro. And I am beyond excited to see him continue to ascend.
Slim Reaper Smooth Jams
Fantastic article here Nate with incredibly well displayed and thought out examples to prove your point on his excellent day. Every time I watch Devonta I'm taken aback. He's diminutive in stature which is what led to the Dolphins/Bengals to pass on him but I'd argue despite his measurables he beats all the odds and is arguably the most complete out of the early bunch. A man his size should have problems with press but as you mentioned, he finds a way to properly leverage the tight amount of space in front of him per the LOS and STILL he finds a way to the advantage to him. He literally does not allow himself to get touched on most routes off the line. It's freaky! Another thing is his willingness as a blocker. A guy of his size shouldn't be pinning AJ Terrell but as always with Devonta, it's impeccable technique. Drives his feet, uses the leverage game of low man always wins and keeps those hands inside and tight to control his man. That's just the icing on the cake too. We haven't even touched on the IQ part of his game and the actual catch and YAC ability as a ball carrier. Sorry for the long post Nate, I just wanted to gush on Smith as you've done a killer job here highlighting his game and we're all incredibly lucky to watch him play!
Thanks for the awesome read and keep up the great work!
- Jordan Silveira
Great stuff. I love these deep dives and Smith seems to have an uncanny ability to get to open space.
Wanted to humbly ask if we could discuss how one might acquire the all-22 film if one were so inclined... appreciate any guidance here and appreciate your work.