WIDE RECEIVER
The ‘need for speed’ has finally been quenched. Bringing DeSean Jackson back was monumental for the Eagles, as highlighted in this Film Room below that shows just how much he’s going to inject into the offense.
Jackson clearly steps into the fray as the WR2 alongside Alshon Jeffery, with Nelson Agholor (who still carries a $9M cap hit) at WR3. That could be subject to change, especially if Agholor restructures or the Eagles opt to take a gamble and cash in on the USC product before they can no longer afford to keep him around. But if that happens, the need then opens right back up
There are two, maybe three players who were hurt by the D-Jax signing. Mike Wallace, who suffered an injury last year, and Mack Hollins, who was dealt the same season-ending card. Both players were theorized to play a bigger role in the Eagles offense next season. Wallace suddenly becomes a cut-candidate, if not a backup at the WR2 slot, while Hollins was actually productive from the slot in his rookie season and could be a sleeper pick to make a full-time move inside.
Another name left out in the cold here is Shelton Gibson…although that . has been the case for quite some time. Gibson finally flashed some playmaking potential during the last preseason, but it wasn’t enough to really generate any kind of momentum going into the regular season, despite a complete lack of depth in the early goings.
So, could any of these names either A) Hop in and fill Agholor’s boots if he leaves, or B) jump into that rotational role? If not, Braxton Miller drew plenty of praise at the owners meetings..,could he be the guy?
The potential for the Eagles to draft an Andy Isabella or a similar caliber player to me, is quite high. I think that targeting slot wideouts to provide an insurance policy behind Agholor will be a priority, while nurturing Shelton Gibson under DeSean Jackson may, just may, provide enough serenity at WR2 for the long-term.
