Ranking The Eagles Wide Receiver Options
The Philadelphia Eagles have been well known over the past couple of seasons for their subpar wide receiver play and poor drafting at the position. The 2020 draft featured possibly the biggest miss on a wide receiver in NFL history and the year before was not different.
That said, even after the addition of Zach Pascal, the Eagles must improve their depth at the position. Let’s rank the best options this offseason to pair DeVonta Smith with some improved talent.
3. Sign A Veteran
Many veteran wide receivers are left on the market and open for the taking. LSU buddies Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry still looking for new homes after some adversity with their previous squads. Julio Jones also looking for a landing spot after his release from Tennessee. There are always pros and cons to bringing in new blood, even with the most talented players.
The benefits of signing these dudes are very similar. The Eagles’ wide receiver room would get immensely better if they can stay healthy. These three are elite route runners with sticky hands. OBJ has revived his career and proved he can still get it done. Julio Jones has produced when healthy over the past couple of seasons. Landry’s benefit would be great leadership and good production from the slot.
The problem is health. OBJ just tore his ACL again in tragic fashion in the Super Bowl and Julio Jones is great when healthy, but never is at this point in his career. Landry had his worst season this past year, however, he played with a quarterback dealing with injury. Any of these guys could be a low risk-high reward type of signing.
2. Trade For DK Metcalf
Howie Roseman missed his chance to make DK Metcalf an Eagle. Why pass on it twice? The Eagles have plenty of ammunition to make a trade for the Seahawk star. Metcalf is still young and would fit Devonta Smith’s and Jalen Hurts‘ timelines.
Metcalf is coming off another 900+ yard season and is only a year separated from his Second-Team All-Pro selection. The young wide receiver could make even bigger strides next to another WR1 in Devonta Smith and the speedster Quez Watkins.
However, Metcalf and the Seahawks have expressed their interest to get an extension done. Perhaps if the price is right, Roseman can make Metcalf an Eagle. It would all come around full circle.
1. Draft A Rookie
This wide receiver class is loaded with talent. With three picks in the first round, the Eagles still need to address linebacker and the defensive line. After getting their defense nailed down at 15 and 16, pick 19 would be the best chance to grab one of these great talents.
Ohio State has two outstanding guys that catch the football coming out in Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave. Wilson would be the obvious pick if he came to 19, but he has been projected to skyrocket up the boards. Olave is a speedster but having two guys built the same on one team doesn’t give you versatility at the position despite Olave’s big play ability.
USC’s Drake London is a guy the Eagles would love. Tall, physical, and can line up anywhere. London can beat people in space and go get the 50/50 balls while Devonta Smith destroys the one-on-one coverage. This could be fun, as having an elite young duo to build off of is what franchises dream of.
For more Eagles articles, check out Fly Eagles Nation. See what our writers have to say about the latest moves, predictions for the season, and analysis on the team.