During the 2021 draft, the Eagles became the sixth team in NFL history to go back-to-back with first round WRs. Only one team has done it three times in a row: he Detroit Lions. They selected Charles Rogers in 2003, Roy Williams in 2004, and Mike Williams in 2005. Rogers flamed out after three seasons, Williams had a pretty good four and a half year run until being traded for a first round pick from the Cowboys (lol), and Mike Williams was bad.
Do the Eagles really want to join history that is only occupied by the Lions?
That will be a big question for Nick Siranni and co (hopefully not Howie) to answer come April. Outside of DeVonta Smith and Quez Watkins, the Eagles have gotten close to zero from their wide receivers. Smith leads the team with 60 yards3, Goedert follows with 429, Watkins has 408, and in fourth place is a player who hasn’t been on the team since week six: Zach Ertz.
2020’s first round pick, Jalen Reagor, continues to underwhelm and has ten catches for 63 yards combined in his eight games since his five catch for 53 yards versus Dallas in week three.
JJAW continues to be JJAW (except for that clutch play yesterday!) and Greg Ward has two catches in 152 snaps.
Sure, the pipe dream is signing one of the coveted free agents this coming offseason, but what if they turn down big money from the Eagles to play for bonafide contenders?
The offense is sorely lacking a big-bodied receiver that can box defenders out and go up and get the ball. DeVonta Smith did his best impression last week on the touchdown catch over Patrick Surtain, but that’s not his bread and butter. The Eagles have too many guys who can do the same things and it’s time for them to add an Alshon Jeffery-esque receiver.
When you look at the draft and the three* first round picks, I’d be most comfortable using the third one on a receiver. The first two, in my opinion, should be defense. Whether it’s Hutchinson and a secondary piece or both secondary, those two picks should be dedicated to helping the sieve that is the Eagles defense.
Which wideouts fit the Eagles?
Chris Olave is widely regarded as the best receiver in the draft, but it’s not likely he’ll fall to the mid-teens (where the third pick will most likely land). I’m not convinced he’s the kind of receiver that I described above. He’s a fantastic route runner, but would he fit with Smith?
Garrett Wilson and Jahan Dotson are both smaller, yet dynamic, receivers that don’t fit that mold. But if the team moves Reagor, could they fill the slot?
The two that best fit what the Eagles need are Drake London and Trylon Burks. London (6’5″) and Burks (6’3″) would add an element that the team hasn’t had since prime Alshon: go up and get it.
Drake London:
https://twitter.com/PFF_Anthony/status/1448267732173131782?s=20
Treylon Burks:
https://twitter.com/SportsTalk_SEC/status/1448020693413679104?s=20
For the Eagles offense to truly flourish, they need to add a receiver that complements the others well. Adding Drake London or Treylon Burks will perfectly supplement DeVonta Smith’s do-it-all skillset and Quez Watkins’ deep threat ability. If Reagor wants to be a part of that mix, he needs to do something in the next six games.
If teams should draft QBs until they “get it right”, why can’t teams do the same for other positions?
Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire
