The Philadelphia Eagles head into an offseason where it seems that the team’s No.1 priority is surrounding their investment at quarterback, Carson Wentz, with weapons. The team has been linked to every free agent wide receiver, most notably the guys at the top of the market in Alshon Jeffery, Terrelle Pryor and Kenny Stills, to name a few. But there is a diamond in the rough among free agent wide receivers that might not be the sexiest pick to the Eagles’ fanbase.
ESPN’s Eagles reporter, Tim McManus, has reported that the Eagles are expected to be interested in Los Angeles free agent wide receiver Kenny Britt. This report was also backed up by ESPN’s NFL insider, Adam Caplan, as well.
This union makes sense for the Eagles given a potential reunion of Britt with new Eagles wide receivers coach, Mike Groh, as the two spent this past season together on the Rams. The most important factor to take into consideration – Britt’s potential price tag.
https://twitter.com/charlesrobinson/status/838596441497038854
Britt would come at a bargain rate compared to the reported markets of the likes of Jeffery, Pryor, Stills, Pierre Garçon and even former Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson. All those receivers are reportedly in the market for upwards of $10 million per year, which the Eagles could accommodate, but given the questionable state of the team’s cap and the desire to add more than one wide receiver to the team’s corps in free agency, Britt’s salary demands help the Eagles out the most.
Britt is coming off a season where he was targeted 111 times with 68 catches for 1,002 yards, 14.7 yards per catch, and five touchdowns. Britt only dropped three passes this past season according to sportingcharts.com. He was the first Rams wide receiver to surpass the 1,000 yard receiving threshold since Torry Holt in 2007, so you see how uncommon of an accomplishment that is.
Britt’s overall career has been lackluster to the point of being average if you base your evaluation of him off his stat sheet, but unfortunately for him, he’s severely lacked quarterback stability during his eight seasons in the NFL. During his eight seasons in the league (71 starts), he’s played with ten different quarterbacks with them being Vince Young, Kerry Collins, Jake Locker, Rusty Smith, Matt Hasselbeck, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Shaun Hill, Nick Foles, Case Keenum and Jared Goff.
Here’s a link to a very informative piece on Kenny Britt by NFL writer, Jonathan Kinsley, highlighting Britt’s overall game film and on the field production.
https://brickwallblitz.wordpress.com/2017/02/13/kenny-britt-offers-the-ideal-free-agent-wr
Britt will be 29 heading into the 2017 season and age along with not being the sexy pick among available wide receivers is what seems to turn Eagles fans off of him. Luckily for the Eagles, they have a history of knocking mid-level signings like these over the sexy picks out of the park, most notably choosing safety, Malcolm Jenkins, over the likes of Jarius Byrd.
Consistent quarterback stability and continuing to master his craft under Groh could go a long way for Britt and the Eagles. With the market rate at what it is for wide receivers, the Eagles signing Britt is a huge value signing and one who offers immediate impact to the team’s passing attack and mediocre receiver group.
The Eagles are hoping to upgrade the receiver corps entirely, not just one spot on it. They are working with a budget that everyone seems to look past. They can get up to a little over $28 million in cap space with their projected cap cuts, but that still would be ranked currently 20th best in the NFL.
Britt is an upgrade that shouldn’t be overlooked. He gives Wentz a reliable big body receiver, who is capable of turning in a 1,000 yard performance. It’s about to be a crazy frenzy this upcoming week. Hopefully this article can open your mind to the prospects of Britt in midnight green.
Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
