Eagles offensive trio earns top-10 ranking despite A.J. Brown's departure
Eagles offensive trio earns top-10 ranking despite A.J. Brown's departure
Geoffrey A Knox, Eagles WireSat, June 6, 2026 at 4:37 PM UTC
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Eagles offensive trio earns top-10 ranking despite A.J. Brown's departure
When A.J. Brown left the City of Brotherly Love, the immediate reaction centered on what the Philadelphia Eagles had lost. That's understandable. We're discussing one of the league's premier receivers and a major reason for the franchise's recent success.
Now, DeVonta Smith is the unquestioned WR1, a role he isn't unfamiliar with. He held the same position during his rookie season. Those two and Saquon Barkley comprise Philadelphia's version of 'the triplets.'
Recently, they earned a nice mention. Sports Illustrated's latest rankings suggest the Eagles still have plenty of firepower left without Brown. The publication recently stacked NFL offensive trios from top to bottom as the 2026 regular season nears. Philadelphia was placed ninth overall. For now, the ranking feels fair, but behind Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, and DeVonta Smith, this team can soar even higher.
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Sports Illustrated may be devaluing the Eagles' offensive stars
Questions surrounding Hurts remain after an uneven statistical season. Barkley is attempting to rebound from a campaign that fell well short of his spectacular 2024 production. Smith now enters the season as the unquestioned focal point of the passing attack. That said, ranking them ninth may eventually prove to be conservative.
Hurts remains a proven winner. Barkley remains one of football's most gifted runners. Smith has repeatedly demonstrated that he can thrive when additional opportunities come his way. Add rookie Makai Lemon and a new-look offensive approach under Sean Mannion, and there are reasons to believe Philadelphia's offense could surprise people.
The Eagles may no longer possess the star power that came with Brown's presence, but they still have elite talent where it matters most. Ninth feels reasonable today. If Hurts returns to form and Barkley rediscovers his explosiveness, this trio could finish the season much higher than where Sports Illustrated currently places them.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Eagles offensive trio earns top-10 ranking despite A.J. Brown's departure
Source: “AOL Sports”
