Jordan Mailata has no worries about DeVonta Smith as Eagles’ No. 1 WR after AJ Brown trade

When news broke that AJ Brown had finally been traded from the Philadelphia Eagles to the New England Patriots, the pressure immediately ratcheted up for DeVonta Smith to become the Birds’ next great wide receiver.

A tough ask? That depends on who you ask; Smith has arguably had the most productive first five years of any wide receiver in franchise history, including as a rookie, when he was the clear WR1. That production, however, has largely come next to Brown, who has taken the harder assignments and been more of a focal point on opposing scouting reports.

Discussing how confident he is to see No. 6 become the Eagles’ news No. 1 in 2026, Jordan Mailata told reporters on Tuesday that he has no trouble believing in Smitty, as he’s been a top target this entire time.

“He’s always been a No. 1 receiver. Nothing has changed for Smitty. Smitty’s always led from the front. So that narrative, we can shut that down now, because Smitty’s always led from the front,” Mailata said via The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Olivia Reiner.

“Just because he never wore that captain’s patch the last two years, didn’t mean that he wasn’t a captain in the locker room. But he always left from the front, and that’s why I’m calling it now, when he wears that captain’s patch this year, there’s no surprise. He’s always been a captain in my eyes, just from the way he’s led, the way he’s always gone about his business on and off the field. So he’s just awesome.”

Is Smith ready to step up and become the type of player Philadelphia fans have been hoping he could be since that fateful day in September when he caught his first pass a half-decade ago? Or will it take more of a team effort to replace a player of Brown’s caliber, with new additions Eli Stowers, Dontavion Wicks, and Makai Lemon having to step up, too? Fans will find out soon enough.

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