They say you can’t fix a team or retool a roster in one offseason, but does that apply to Howie Roseman? Roseman drafted three wide receivers in this year’s draft who have one common trait that helps them stand out: speed.
The Chiefs have accomplished that, which led to a Super Bowl win. Their top three receivers have incredible speed. As a matter of fact, if you mesh all of their combine/pro day times together you’ll get an average of 4.33 which is pretty wild.
Let’s take a look at what the Eagles have now. Compared to the Chief’s top three, the Eagles rookies Reagor, Watkins, and Hightower have a combined speed of 4.41. That’s not bad at all but let’s go a little deeper now. During the draft the Eagles traded for the former Olympian, Marquise Goodwin. If you add in his combine time then that’ll bring the team speedsters to an average 4.38. Incredible isn’t it?
DeSean Jackson isn’t mentioned in this conversation due to already being on the team prior to the draft, but we all know that he still remains as one of the most prolific deep threats in the NFL today. The Eagles went from no speed to a having more than they know what to do with, as our writer Chris Infante shows.
Howie Roseman didn’t only get Carson a couple of speedsters but he actually drafted playmakers. A trait that hasn’t been easy to find for the Eagles. Last offseason they struck gold with the addition of Penn State running back, Miles Sanders, but before then it was something the Eagles just couldn’t find.
Howie Roseman asked Doug Pederson three questions before entering the offseason. One asked, “Is he healthy?”, the second asked. “Can he run?”, and the third asked, “Does he love to play?” Roseman had a blueprint that he seemed to had stuck with during the NFL Draft.
There is a very strong possibility that Roseman hit on almost every pick. In Jalen Reagor, you’re getting a future start who will grow with Wentz for the next 5-10 years. He’s a dynamic playmaker who doesn’t play according to his size. Unlike what the Eagles are used to, Reagor has no problem with jumping up to go win the 50/50 passes.
As for John Hightower, the Eagles are getting a young playmaker who’s great at getting separation. While he is still a bit raw, Hightower’s ceiling could mirror Reagors if he truly works on his craft. His speed at 6’1” is very unique and not many receivers in this class get the separation that he does.
Then there’s Quez Watkins. Quez had a great combine 40 time and could be the answer to the team’s prayers for a gadget player. Let’s be honest, the Eagles haven’t had a receiver that they can successfully throw a screen to on the outside. As good as Agholor was in 2017, he never pushed the creativity of this coaching staff like Watkins will. Quez is the type of player that can take it to the house from the line of scrimmage as long as the plays allow him enough wiggle room.
The Eagles could have the fastest group of receivers by the end of next season if they all can stay healthy. The coaching staff will have a lot on their plates when it comes to their young guys. Doug Pederson will have to truly be the innovative coach that we know he is if this is the team is going be playing in February.
Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
