In the shadow of the Philadelphia Eagles’ star-studded receiving corps led by A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, one dynamic playmaker is waiting for his chance to shine. Ainias Smith, the Eagles’ fifth-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, possesses the skill set and versatility that could make him the perfect WR3 solution the team has been searching for.
When Philadelphia selected the Texas A&M standout with the 152nd overall pick, many draft analysts questioned how such a talented and multifaceted weapon fell so far. Smith’s college resume speaks volumes – a first-team All-SEC selection who accumulated over 2,000 total yards during his time as an Aggie, excelling as a receiver, rusher, and returner.
The primary reason for Smith’s draft-day slide? Injuries. The 5-foot-9, 176-pound playmaker dealt with various setbacks in college that limited his exposure and raised durability concerns among scouts. These concerns, combined with his smaller stature, pushed a player with day-two talent into the later rounds.
Though Smith’s rookie campaign saw limited opportunities behind the Eagles’ established duo of Brown and DeVonta Smith, he flashed glimpses of the explosiveness and playmaking ability that made him a standout in the SEC. With the WR3 role still up for grabs, the 24-year-old Smith enters training camp with a legitimate chance to carve out a role in Kellen Moore’s offense.
What makes Smith particularly intriguing heading into his second season is how his versatility aligns with Moore’s system. Moore has historically maximized players who can line up in multiple positions, creating mismatches and forcing defenses to adjust on the fly.
Smith’s experience as both a receiver and running back makes him an ideal chess piece for Moore. Whether it’s motioning out of the backfield, running jet sweeps, or working the middle of the field from the slot, Smith offers the Eagles something their other receivers don’t – true positional flexibility combined with game-breaking speed.
While Jahan Dotson, acquired from Washington last year, brings first-round pedigree to the WR3 competition and Johnny Wilson offers intriguing size and athleticism, Smith’s unique skillset provides a different dimension to the Eagles’ passing attack.
As the Eagles continue to evolve offensively under Jalen Hurts, utilizing three-receiver sets has become a focal point. This approach opens the door for Smith to emerge as a reliable target on third downs, particularly given his ability to separate quickly and make plays in space.
For a player who began his football journey as a three-star recruit and has consistently overcome adversity, the challenge of climbing Philadelphia’s depth chart represents just another opportunity to prove doubters wrong. If Smith can stay healthy and continue developing within the Eagles’ system, the former fifth-round selection could soon look like one of Howie Roseman’s finest value picks in recent memory.