Cleveland’s Denzel Ward and Philadelphia’s DeVonta Smith spent a lively stretch of joint practice trading notes on ball skills, releases, and how to read a pressed defender. Ward was candid about sharing reads and technique with Smith, framing a rare mentorship moment on the field. Smith, stepping into Eagles reps with A.J. Brown sidelined, looked like the team’s top real receiving threat in camp, while Hurts spread targets to Goedert and Dotson on several plays. The vibe: two elite playmakers learning from each other with competition heating up in practice.

Smith’s connection with Hurts didn’t get a long target downfield in seven-on-seven, but the interaction with Ward underscored the strategic chess between corners and receivers. Ward’s openness to share knowledge and Smith’s willingness to absorb could lift Smith’s ceiling as an early-season fantasy asset, especially with Brown’s hamstring absence. The session also highlighted the Eagles’ depth at receiver and the Browns’ willingness to learn from top pros, a dynamic that could influence how defenses game-plan these offenses in August and beyond.

Bottom line for fantasy: Smith’s value could rise if Brown remains limited, with Dotson and Goedert providing complementary upside. Ward’s mentorship hints at Smith’s ability to win in tight coverage, potentially elevating his weekly floor. In the broader context, these joint practices are a microcosm of how elite players push one another—and how fantasy managers should monitor camp chatter for subtle shifts in targets and timing before the preseason glow fades.