What was supposed to be a deep WR group in 2019 turned into a disaster. Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson were the perfect pair, combining a big body guy with a speedster. Add the slot nightmare Nelson Agholor and depth like a healthy Mack Hollins and rookie talent JJ Arcega-Whiteside and Eagles were golden.
…until they weren’t and everything fell apart.
Famously, Wentz passed for 4,000 yards despite not having a single WR go >500 yards. While the Eagles usually don’t get a lot of production from the WR group in general, it’s pretty remarkable – and not in a good way.
Entering the 2020 free agency, there have to be two absolute priorities for the team.
– Health
And while the market is often unpredictable, with the chances of targets being poached by any one of 31 other NFL teams, including their current employer who may want to retain their services, here’s an early look at five wide receivers who may interest the Eagles when the floodgates open.
1. Amari Cooper
There’s simply no denying Cooper is a top tier WR in the NFL. In his first two seasons, he had over 1,000 yards receiving and 5 TDs. After a down year with the Raiders in 2017, he was traded to the Cowboys for a first-round pick, only to boost his numbers into the stratosphere.
Cooper combines his 4.42 speed and elite change of direction in route running to create separation. He will be only 26 years old this year, and despite a few lingering injuries, he has played basically every possible game of his career.
He will demand elite WR money – and he deserves it. Will Cowboys pay up? Can the Eagles even afford to with Alshon Jeffery onboard? Only time will tell but never say never.
2. Robby Anderson
An undrafted free agent in 2016, Anderson has finished his rookie deal and will look to cash in. His blazing 4.36 speed amassed a solid production with around 800 yards and 6 TDs per year in every season since 2017. Add 50 plays of 20+ yards in his 4-year career and you start to see a real deep-threat.
Injuries have never been an issue for the Jets wideout, having missed only 2 games of 62 possible.
Anderson has been reported to demand around 10 million/year, which is a high number, but given the lack of top tier WRs in free agency, it’s not totally unrealistic.
As far as the Eagles go, it wouldn’t make sense to pay both Anderson and D-Jax, given that their skillsets mirror each other. But the Eagles have a deep need for speed and we know the team have been high on him for a while.
3. Emmanuel Sanders
Sanders is getting up there in the age column. Although 32 at this writing moment, the speedy WR made the Pro Bowl in his later years (2014 and 2016), and after a down year in 2017, he averaged around 900 yards and 5 TDs in 2018 and 2019.
The aging speedster still has juice in the legs, and despite dealing with an Achilles injury in 2018 and a sprained ankle in 2017, he hasn’t missed a game in his 10th season.
The contract with the 49ers sees him making $6 million this year, and he will be looking to make around that sort in his next contract, although there might be a bidding competition with 49ers, who may try and keep him.
4. Phillip Dorsett
Dorsett is an under-the-radar possbility for the Eagles. The former Colt has recorded 500 yards in just one season of his five so far (so perfect for the birds, right?). After joining the Patriots, the potential of Dorsett shined through. With 5 TDs, 6 catches for 20+ yards, and clear display of his 4.33 speed, he should be considered an option.
Injuries have never been a huge deal for Dorsett, although he dealt with a minor hamstring injury that kept him out of 2 games in 2019.
At 27, Phillip is a cheap, fast, anda young depth option for the Eagles. He won’t solve the problem, but he could absolutely help.
5. Breshad Perriman
Not that guy, right? The 26th overall selection from 2015 has been an enormous disappointment so far. But then came 2019, where something seemed to click. Perriman got 650 yards and 6 TDs as the 3rd option in TB, which included some ridiculous plays:
Did you know Perriman ran a 4.24 sec 40 time at his pro day? Did you know that he is only 26? And what if I told you he can be had for cheap given his track record of switching teams and underperforming for 2/4 of his first years?
Despite missing his entire rookie season on IR, Perriman is yet another depth option that would add some quality speed to the field if e.g. DeSean Jackson can’t stay healthy or they end up in a situation similar to 2019.
Notable names:
- A.J. Green: Old, injury concerns, and probably expensive due to prior performances.
- Larry Fitzgerald: Will probably finish career with Arizona or retire.
- Devin Funchess: Young, slow, and despite being signed to a “prove it” deal with Colts, he failed to actually prove it.
- Randall Cobb: A possibility. 30 years old, not a huge difference-maker for the Cowboys but should be cheaper.
- Tavon Austin: Another 30 year old, had major disappointing years with Cowboys, but has speed and should be affordable.
- Nelson Agholor: Okay let’s just stop the article here…
Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
