What do oddsmakers expect from DeVonta Smith's rookie season?

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Jalen Hurts needs as many weapons as possible around him.

One plus would be if Miles Sanders can revert back to his rookie form.

Another would be improved play by the offensive line.

However, most importantly is speed on the outside and it starts with rookie wide receiver DeVonta Smith. 

Fans got their wish when the Eagles drafted the Heisman Trophy winner and expectations are sky high.

But just how high is too high?

NBC Sports betting partner PointsBet has listed Smith’s over/under at 750.5 receiving yards. If Smith goes over that number he will crush last season’s team leader Travis Fulgham, who tallied 539 yards.

Gaining around 750 receiving yards this season will give Smith the sixth-best rookie mark in Eagles history. Here are the top six Eagles rookie receiving seasons: 

1. DeSean Jackson, WR, 2008: 912

2. Jordan Matthews, WR, 2014: 872

3. Keith Jackson, TE, 1988: 869

4. Charlie Young, TE, 1973: 854

5. Jeremy Maclin, WR, 2009: 773

6. Fred Barnett, WR, 1990: 721

Another key ingredient to Smith’s success this season will be determined by the play of Jalen Reagor. Having Reagor’s speed stretch the field could open up space for Smith. The second-year receiver was a disappointment in 2020, gaining only 396 receiving yards while battling injuries that limited him to 11 games.

Smith can help ease the minds of the fans after watching Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson rack up 1,400 yards in his rookie season. Jefferson was selected one pick after the Eagles’ opted for Reagor.

Those 1,400 yards are the second-best mark by a rookie in league history trailing only the Houston Oilers’ Bill Groman, who had 1,473 receiving yards in 1960.

Just to compare Jefferson with the Eagles from this past season, the trio of Fulgham, Dallas Goedert and Greg Ward totaled just under 1,500 yards in 2020.

Needless to say, the Eagles could use a boost at wideout and hopefully Smith can help provide a much-needed spark.

PointsBet is NBC Sports Official Sports Betting Partner, and we may receive compensation if you place a bet on PointsBet for the first time after clicking our links.

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