The Panthers’ DeVonta Smith is an undrafted rookie from Notre Dame who signed with Carolina on May 8 after impressing at rookie minicamp. He earned a spot on the Panthers’ practice squad following the preseason but has not yet appeared in an NFL regular-season game. He will be on the sideline for Week 6, getting some pregame work while watching his namesake across the field.
The Eagles’ DeVonta Smith is a well-known NFL receiver, but the Panthers’ Smith is a newer name on the scene worth watching. There’s an interesting backstory here: two players named DeVonta Smith who share a connection to the same spelling of the name, though their paths diverged at the professional level.
A notable subplot is that the Panthers’ Smith has ties to players who were close with the Eagles’ Smith. Bryce Young and John Metchie played with the Eagles’ DeVonta Smith at Alabama, where Young threw passes to the wide receiver. Young has joked about the confusion, explaining which Smith is which, to clarify who is on whose side. The Alabama connection adds an extra layer of familiarity for Young and Metchie with the name they’ve seen in college.
For the Panthers’ Smith, this Week 6 spotlight will be a chance to prove himself. He began his college career at Alabama, the same school that produced his NFL counterpart, and he’s navigating the early steps of his pro career, hoping to one day seize his own moment in the spotlight. Until then, he’ll watch from the sideline as his colleague carries the field during the game.
