We’re now in the depths of the NFL offseason and in a time when OTA’s would usually be rolling on, we’re instead sat twiddling our thumbs daydreaming of the Football to come. What better time to project what kind of season each Eagles draft pick will have?
Jalen Reagor
The first-round pick should drop straight into the ‘Z’ spot, rotating with DeSean Jackson and allowing a committee led by Marquise Goodwin to cover slot duties. It may take Reagor a while to heat up, especially with a shortened offseason, but his impact promises to be sizable. His impressive speed and ‘do-it-all’ ability should shine and finally give Carson Wentz a year-long deep threat to rely on – something he hasn’t had since entering the league.
For context, Deebo Samuel still reached 800 receiving yards last year along with 149 on the ground.
Stat line: 60 receptions, 14.5 yards per reception, 872 yards, 7 touchdowns
Jalen Hurts
This is obviously tricky as it comes down to how you view Hurts. If you see this pick as a ‘backup’ and nothing else, this stat-line should be minimal. If you see it as a selection to add some unpredictability to the offense and envision Hurts playing a fairly significant role, things become way more fun.
How big will that role be? It’s tough to say because we haven’t had any kind of inkling as to how the man who completed close to 70% of passes last year and rushed for over 1,200 yards will be used.
Taysom Hill combined for 390 scrimmage yards and 7 touchdowns last year, passing the ball only six times. This is a nice gauge, but Hurts is a much more lethal passer. Press Taylor has spoken about this before and I think it’s possible that Hurts does become a secondary passing option on certain looks, adding some fuel to his stat line.
Stat line: 62 pass attempts, 563 passing yards, 64% comp, 3 passing TD
26 rush attempts, 280 rushing yards, 10.7 avg, 3 rushing TD
18 receptions, 197 receiving yards, 10.84 avg, 2 rec TD
Davion Taylor
The Eagles are losing linebackers less and less frequently and their offseason of heavy addition to the secondary only further that point. The drafting of a very raw linebacker in the third-round does present some serious upside, but it may take a year or two until the unxperienced Colorado product finds his feet. To begin with the bar has to be a fairly tame one in light of a very short offseason.
Stat line: 29 tackles, 4 TFL, 1 sack, 1 FF, 3 passes defensed
K’Von Wallace
I really feel as though Wallace will have a significant impact as a rookie. The stars are aligning for the former Clemson Safety to force every team that let him slide into the laps of the Eagles in round 4 to turn their heads. He fits this defense perfectly and was a stout performer in the Tigers’ defense as someone who can man-up on tight ends or play inside the box.
Stat line: 54 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 sacks, 5 PD, 2 INT,
John Hightower
My favorite pick of the entire draft, I think Hightower will grow into the Eagles offense as a rotational receiver who can stretch the field in the mold of Marquise Goodwin, ready to one day take over his kingdom. His rookie season may be a little quiet, but I expect a few eyebrow-raising deep catches from the Boise State Baller.
Stat line: 27 receptions, 12 yards per rec, 325 yards, 2 touchdowns,
Shaun Braley
Bradley’s role may well be limited to special teams as a rookie, but I do think there’s potential for him to carve out defensive snaps as both Alex Singleton and T.J Edwards did last season. Nothing explosive, but there will be some noise.
Stat line: 18 tackles, 1 sack, 1 PD, 1 TFL
Quez Watkins
A deep sleeper with deeper speed, Watkins averaged a whopping 18.7 yards per reception last year. He may not be in the upper echelon of Eagles receivers, but he should make a few stunning catches if he forces his way into the rotation.
Stat line: 19 receptions, 15.26 yards per rec, 289 yards, 2 touchdowns,
Casey Toohill
Given that fourth-round pick Shareef Miller saw 2 special teams snaps last year, it’s difficult to project how the Eagles will deploy Toohill with such a limited offseason. I’d like to think he sees some action, however it’s anything but a guarantee.
Stat line: 4 tackles, 1 TFL, 0.5 sacks
Jack Driscoll/Prince Tega-Wanagho
I didn’t forget about the pair of Auburn linemen selected by the Eagles, it’s just obviously much harder to project stats. I’d expect both to see reserve roles as rookies.
