It’s that time of year again Eagles fans! We are just a couple of weeks away from the start of the 2022 NFL Combine. So as we get closer to one of the most anticipated workouts in Indianapolis, let’s take a look at the wideouts that the Philadelphia Eagles could be looking at a little more closely.
Players to Watch
Treylon Burks – Arkansas
Let’s just get this out of the way. There are legitimately seven different receivers that you could rank as the top dog in this draft to this point. This isn’t to say that Burks is going to be the #1 receiver in this draft, just that he has the most gain from a good combine.
6’3, 225 pounds – Burks is a physical specimen that can dominate both inside and out. If he ends up running in the 4.5 or faster, we’re looking at a first round pick here.
He’ll need to show he can get off the press at the pro level, but he has the size, frame and speed to be able to accomplish this.
Chris Olave – Ohio State
Probably the most polished WR in this class, Olave is the best route-runner of the group and had a dominant career in Ohio State. The best way to describe this is that he might be a lesser talented Davonta Smith but not by much. He has very good hands, great route-runner and excellent speed. He’s the complete package as a wideout. The only knack on him will be his size and strength but that’s not much of a worry with the way this guy runs routes.
Christain Watson – North Dakota St.
The big winner of the senior bowl, Watson was one of the best players on the field at all times. He knows how to block, being in a run-centric offense, but having blazing speed to counteract that. He kind of reminds me of a Hines Ward-type player who will only gain confidence in his physicality.
With a great combine, Watson could be the offseason player that shoots up draft boards. He has the size, speed and athleticism to be a darling of the offseason.
The JJ Arcega-Whiteside
Drake London – USC
The type of player whose size allowed him to do whatever he wanted in the PAC-12. That’s not going to fly in the NFL. As good as London was at USC, he needs to improve in a lot of different areas in order for him to go in round one. A good combine will certainly help his draft stock. But any Eagles fans who looks at a player like London will have major JJAW vibes and it’s not something the team should be looking for.
The Reagor?
Jahan Dotson – Penn State
Dotson had a very solid career at Penn State. He was able to use his speed to great effect in a difficult conference. The main issue with him is against press corners. He has the big-play ability and can certainly high point a pass, but it comes down to the main issue that plagues Jalen Reagor to this day:
He can’t get off the line.
If Dotson is drafted to a team without a lot of scheme manipulation, he could certainly find a ton of issues against NFL corners that will try to manhandle him down the field.
The D.K. Metcalf
George Pickens – Georgia
Pickens will need a huge combine to help his draft stock. If the medicals come back clear, and he performs well in the combine, Pickens could certainly go in the top two rounds. The big issue will be the medicals though. A torn ACL the year before, it will be a massive story to watch here.
He has excellent size and speed, and has better route-running discipline than some of the other players in the class. A strong combine will help him deeply to be similar to a Metcalf type player.
Photo by Chris McDill/Icon Sportswire
