Why A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith could become one of greatest WR duos ever

Why A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith could become one of greatest WR duos ever originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

After just two years, they’re already one of the most accomplished wide receiver duos in NFL history.

A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith have something pretty special going. And to hear them talk, they’re just getting started.

In both 2022 and 2023, Brown and Smith each had at least 80 catches, 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns while averaging 12.5 yards per catch.

The only other duo from the same team to do that in consecutive seasons is Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas with the Broncos in 2012 and 2013.

In fact, only two other duos have recorded 80 catches, 1,000 yards and seven TDs in back-to-back seasons (and one of them was a receiver and tight end): T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chad Johnson with the Bengals in 2006 and 2007 and Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce with the Chiefs in 2020 and 2021.

But what makes Brown and Smith even more special is that Brown just turned 27 and Smith is only 25.

And they’re both signed through 2028.

By the time they’re done?

By the time they’re done, we could be looking at Smith and Brown the same way we look at Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne, Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt, Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin.

They’re that good. And Smith said after practice Sunday they have no intention of standing still.

“I think as the years go on, it’s only going to get better,” he said. “You know, every offseason we come in with something new. Just learning from each other, talking throughout the offseason and things like that. Going out here to practice, things that we see.

“So I think there’s always room for improvement because every year you’re going to find something new that you want to put in the toolbox.”

How good have these two been?

Brown’s 2,952 yards are nearly 400 more than anybody else has ever had in his first 34 games as an Eagle. Irving Fryar had 2,577 from 1995 through 1997. And Smith’s 3,178 yards are the…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/why-j-brown-devonta-smith-110000401.html

Author : NBC Sports Philadelphia

Publish date : 2024-08-05 11:00:00

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