philadelphia eagles Coaching camp is sort of right here! Gamers are scheduled to report back to the NovaCare Advanced on July 26 earlier than the primary apply on July 27. As we rely down the times collectively, Bleeding Inexperienced Nation will preview each place on the Eagles roster. We proceed as we speak by looking on the extensive receiver place. Beforehand: attacking participant | working backwards.
DEVONTA SMITH
Everybody may be very enthusiastic about AJ Brown. That is proper! He has confirmed to be among the finest gamers within the NFL at his place.
however it’s the positively The very best extensive receiver on the Eagles’ roster? By way of established manufacturing, you must give it the go-ahead proper now. However do not rule out the chance that Smith will likely be seen because the 1A to Brown’s 1B on the finish of the season.
Smith was criminally underutilized as a rookie; that there have been 37 gamers attacked extra typically than him does not make sense. After all, it did not assist that the Eagles had the bottom passing share within the NFL. Operating the ball was efficient for them (particularly towards lesser groups) however usually restricted their alternatives to get the ball into the fingers of one in every of their greatest gamers.
One would hope the Eagles have discovered from not focusing on Smith sufficient. He ought to profit from an offense that appears to move the ball extra typically (although precisely how a lot is unclear).
Smith must also profit from a extra developed relationship with Jalen Hurts. the 2 have been actually clicking the one OTA apply attended by the media each participated.
With Brown within the fold, groups will not at all times be capable to assign their greatest cornerback to cowl for Smith. Or, in the event that they do, they will dwell with Brown lined up in a CB2.
However, the draw back of Brown getting into the equation is that it may restrict Smith’s quantity alternatives. Whether or not it is a cliché, there are a number of mouths to feed and just one ball to go round.
But. the thought right here is that Smith is flying a bit beneath the radar with all the eye on Brown. We’ll simply say that it could be remiss to sleep with the Eagles’ 2021 first-round decide when he enters 12 months 2. Do not be stunned if he surpasses Brown in manufacturing. And that is not a snub for the newcomer.
AJ BROWN
Ranked yearly as one in every of Tennessee’s high receivers in yards per route, Brown is a really environment friendly goal. And she or he produced some fairly good quantity though the Titans used such a run-heavy offense fueled by Derrick Henry.
Brown is a person amongst boys. He brings a physicality to the Eagles’ receiving corps that they have been lacking. He provides worth as somebody who can struggle for the ball within the air and execute tackles after the catch. Brown’s capability to make large performs as a menace on the sphere must also not be missed in any manner.
In concept, the Eagles including Brown ought to assist Hurts attain the subsequent degree at quarterback. That they’re pleasant off the sphere would counsel that it should not be troublesome to type a chemistry on the sphere. Nevertheless, that’s price seeing. Hurts focused the sphere fewer than any quarterback in 2021 (simply 10% of the time, based on Soccer Outsiders) and that is the place 60% of Brown’s targets got here from. Maybe Brown will unlock Hurts’ deficiency in that space. In any other case, Brown can be underutilized in a key space.
It’s price monitoring this connection within the camp. Brown and Hurts weren’t precisely on the identical web page throughout their solely media-attended OTA apply collectively. There may be some points to work out but.
QUEZ WATKINS
Watkins is not going to be a quantity goal with Smith and Brown forward of him. Nevertheless, that does not imply he is not vital to the offense. Watkins thinks to see the sport time on the slots. Though he’s principally thought of a subject stretcher, which is what he’s, he’s maybe extra well-rounded than he actually offers himself credit score for. Watkins has proven the flexibility to leap between two and run after receiving potential as properly.
Effectivity is the secret for Watkins. The Eagles ought to be capable to flip to him to fill out in the back of the sphere. His capability to burn down a secondary ought to assist open up alternatives under for his teammates.
PASCAL ZACH
I would not be so positive Pascal is just the fourth choice behind a superior trio of Smith, Brown and Watkins. There’s a cheap likelihood that Pascal will see extra targets and/or snapshots. The concept right here is that Watkins and Pascal might be 3A and 3B choices behind the 2 greatest gamers at their place. Watkins is a downfield widening slot, whereas Pascal is an enormous slot who may see extra alternatives within the pink zone and quick yardage conditions.
It was robust for Pascal at Indy final 12 months, however he wasn’t precisely taking part in a quarterback recognized for maximizing his extensive receivers. Now, the identical might be mentioned for Hurts. However the thought is that Pascal could be efficient as a job participant in sure conditions. On the very least, he ought to play an improved model of JJAW’s position from final 12 months. And by that I imply a powerful blocking receiver who’s mainly no menace as a move catcher.
JALEN REAGOR
Individuals will typically point out that it does not make sense to chop Reagor as a result of it is going to really trigger the workforce to lose cap area. The argument right here is that the workforce ought to discover a technique to commerce Reagor for actually something to allow them to release $13K in cap area as an alternative of taking a loss. Assuming that choice is not out there to them, since Reagor is not precisely fascinating, they need to nonetheless be prepared to take out a participant who’s had simply as a lot bother as he has. And he not solely fought… however has made lower than full effort on a number of events. Except Reagor actually comes throughout as a distinct participant in coaching camp, which is not simple to anticipate, it is onerous to maintain him on the workforce and declare the workforce is working on a meritocracy. What position is Reagor going to play if he’s WR5? He isn’t offering worth as a returner or as a particular groups protection man. It is simply not use of a spot on the record.
Greg Ward
The Eagles preferred G-Ward as a pink zone specialist final 12 months. Nevertheless, with Pascal within the fold, he has in all probability been outmoded in that regard. Presently, Ward is relegated to being an understudy within the slots and a secure however non-threatening punt returner.
JOHN HIGHTOWER
Hightower had a very good rookie camp, sucked within the common season, did not look good in camp final 12 months whereas coping with harm points after which spent many of the 2021 marketing campaign on the apply squad. The Eagles used a collection of apply squad protections on him, indicating they nonetheless worth his potential. Hightower had some good occasions on OTAs this spring, so possibly he is not hopeless? Nobody ought to maintain their breath, however you may have one final summer season to defend your self.
DEON CAIN
Cain was surprisingly efficient at OTA practices. He has a few elements going for him: 1) he has some NFL manufacturing (albeit 9 catches for 124 yards) and a pair of) he has expertise in Nick Sirianni’s system. If Cain may also excel on particular groups, he may discover a technique to get a spot on the roster.
BRITAIN
At 5-foot-8, 173 kilos, dimension might be a problem for Covey. He did not stand out as a receiver in the course of the OTAs. Covey might want to shine extra in coaching camp and preseason video games. His capability to come back again from him may give him a greater path to a spot on the roster than his opponents. Covey may probably be the Eagles’ punt returner this season as that spot is unresolved.
DEVON-ALLEN
Allen is an fascinating story given his dismissal from soccer and his success as a hurdle star (when it ain’t completely fucked up by foolish guidelines, that’s). Can a man who hasn’t caught a move in a recreation since 2016 do sufficient this summer season to persuade the Eagles to make use of a roster spot on him? Would he be prepared to remain on the apply squad?
JOSH HAMMOND
Hammond is an extended shot to make the record.
TRIGONAL KERIC
The Eagles signed Wheatfall after inviting him to rookie minicamp as a take a look at participant. So, they preferred one thing they noticed. However the UDFA is an extended shot to make the record.
Smith and Brown will lead all receivers in targets. Whether or not there’s a clear No. 1 choice over the opposite or whether or not the hole is shut as 1A and 1B stays to be seen.
Watkins and Pascal are the one different locks to make the record. They are going to be position gamers.
Reagor should not be a part of the workforce, however watch him stick round anyway.
Ward, Hightower, Cain and Covey are doubtless combating for a spot on the roster.
Hammond and Wheatfall venture as camp physique varieties.
Reagor’s removing or commerce can be extra notable than shocking.
Ward shouldn’t be thought of an inventory lock. The Eagles opted to not supply him as a restricted free agent and solely introduced him again on a one-year, $1 million contract that is not assured. There are a variety of receivers competing with him for a fifth or sixth spot on the record.