When the Eagles signed Terrace Marshall Jr. in April, it didn’t make headlines. This was a low-risk signing for the team and a low-interest addition from most fans. A former second-round pick and cast off by the Carolina Panthers. But there are not many camp bodies that look like Terrace Marshall Jr. They don’t run like him. They don’t move like him. And they don’t possess the kind of untapped upside that excites coaches and teammates.
Fighting in Philly
Terrace is not in Philadelphia just to stay in shape this summer; he’s flashing and making a case to be on the 53-man roster.
At 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, Marshall brings a prototypical frame and athleticism that is evident on tape. You can question the previous NFL production; the numbers weren’t there in Carolina or in his brief time with the Raiders, but context matters. He played in a broken offense, with quarterback play that ranged from erratic to unwatchable with the Panthers. His route tree never evolved. His confidence took hits. But the raw tools are still intact. If the Eagles utilize his strengths, he will win on the outside, stretch the seam, and use his frame in the red zone when called upon.
You can see the LSU pedigree. This is a guy who shared a field with Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase, and at times, outproduced them both. He’s been coached hard. He’s played big-time football. And he is motivated to win a job.
The 53-Man Roster
What’s standing in his way? Some will depend on whether the Eagles keep six wide receivers on the roster, including returner Avery Williams. But the players he is competing against are Ainias Smith, Elijah Cooks, Danny Gray, Darius Cooper, Taylor Morin, Giles Jackson, and Johnny Wilson, for one or two roster spots.
Wilson is a good bet to make the team, so if they carry another WR, it is Marshall versus that field. They all offer intriguing skills, but if you’re talking about a player who can step onto the field tomorrow and give you quality reps on the boundary, it’s Marshall. He has the talent to win his reps in one-on-ones, and he developed chemistry with Jalen Hurts this spring. He also blocks with effort, something this staff takes note of.
The Future
The Eagles don’t need Terrace Marshall Jr. to be a star. They need a reliable third or fourth wideout who can come in and keep the offense going when called upon. And what we’re seeing is a young veteran who looks like he knows this may be his final shot, and he’s playing like it.
Marshall is a 25-year-old talent with the physical tools, mentality, and hopefully, the right fit. Sometimes, all a player needs is a new system.
For Marshall, Philly might just be the one that brings it all together.
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