Eagles Wide Receiver Room Review: Dangerous As Ever
The Philadelphia Eagles can finally look at their wide receiver group and think it’s one of the league’s best. You have the top-end talent, the depth at the WR3 and WR4 spots, and youth with it.
Let’s get a good look at what should be expected of the wide receiver group and the potential they have.
A.J. Brown
Every Eagles fan should be raving about this guy to their buddies at the bar. A.J. Brown, at just 25 years old, has racked up nearly 3,000 receiving yards and a Pro Bowl selection. In three years of work, he’s already in the discussion for top-ten Wide Receiver in the game. His elite route running and hands are something the Eagles have lacked in the past couple of seasons before Devonta Smith arrived. Adding Brown to the mix will cause havoc for defenses across the league.
Prediction: 85 receptions, 1,201 yards, 11 touchdowns. This would be Brown’s best statistical season yet and there is a good chance it happens. Playing in the best offense of his career and having elite chemistry with his quarterback will lead to great outcomes.
Devonta Smith
What a breath of fresh air Devonta Smith was last season. After years of horrid wide receiver play, the Eagles drafted their best player at the position since DeSean Jackson in 2008. The stats also backed it up. Smith broke Jackson’s rookie record for receiving yards and had more catches despite 16 fewer targets. To add to that, Smith was dealing with an offense that had no identity the first seven weeks of the year. After that, the Slim Reaper was making highlights seemingly every game.
Prediction: 72 receptions, 1,097 yards, 12 touchdowns. Defenses will force Brown or Smith to beat them. Luckily for these guys, they can’t be stopped one-on-one. Smith is going to have a sensational breakout season.
Quez Watkins
Quez Watkins was a very pleasant surprise last season. He stepped in a WR2 role when it was expected to be Jalen Reagor and did his part. His elite speed and very good hands made it tough to keep the lid on the offense. While Brown and Smith do all the elite route running, Watkins can finally play the role of being the vertical threat this offense desperately needed the past couple of years.
Prediction: 46 receptions, 506 yards, 5 touchdowns. He won’t strike often, but when he does, it will be electric. Quez Watkins may play a huge role down the stretch in some of these games.
Jalen Reagor
Jalen Reagor has been nothing short of utter disappointment. Underperforming is a huge understatement. However, he will not be asked to play any bigger than the WR3 at most. Reagor still has good speed to stretch the field and has big play ability. Like Watkins, this could be where Reagor leaves his mark. This would be more than enough to satisfy some fans. He simply is not the same player as the guy drafted after him.
Prediction: 30 receptions, 378 yards, 3 touchdowns. Again, he will not appear often, but you’ll know when he has arrived. Expecting big plays when he is in alongside this great offense.
Final Thoughts
This group is special. Heisman Trophy winner, Pro Bowler, a first-round pick, and an elite deep threat. The potential is through the roof. If Jalen Hurts can buckle down and these guys get on the same page, we are looking at a historic offense.
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 of the team. Follow me on Twitter @amperez_17 for more content.
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