What Kind of WR
Posted: December 30th, 2016 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 134 Comments »If you watched the Texas Bowl on Wednesday night, you saw Texas A&M receiver Josh Reynolds put on a show, going 12-154-2. He made some very impressive catches and certainly got everyone’s attention.
"Get DJ Reed over there" Josh Reynolds #JUCOPRODUCT https://t.co/yfJBWMsPaB
— JUCO Football Frenzy (@JUCOFFrenzy) December 29, 2016
Great double move by Josh Reynolds followed by impressive grab despite PI https://t.co/1OdxcHhpHK
— the CFB Spot (@theCFBSpot) December 29, 2016
One former Eagle was very impressed.
Philly Eagles 1st Rd pick, Josh Reynolds WR Texas A&M! Tall, fast, Highly Competitive & most important… Great Hands! #GoGetHimHowie!
— Seth Joyner (@sethjoyner) December 29, 2016
The funny thing is…I didn’t come away thinking Reynolds would be a great fit for the Eagles. He’s tall and lanky at 6-4, 190. He’s a long strider. He can eat up some serious ground, but route running in the NFL will be a challenge. Don’t get me wrong. I think Reynolds can be a good NFL receiver. He just didn’t seem like the guys the Eagles ideally need.
With Jordan Matthews and DGB in place, the Eagles aren’t desperate for size. I think they need someone to be a foundational receiver, that guy you can count on in key situations. The receiver doesn’t have to be 6-4. He doesn’t need to run 4.35. He needs the right combination of physical traits, but he also must be highly competitive and must want to be “the guy”. Anquan Boldin is a great example of this. He’s not huge. He only ran 4.71 at the Combine. But Boldin is one of the toughest receivers I’ve ever seen and he will do anything to help his team. He was a 2nd round pick.
If the Eagles can find an elite talent like Julio Jones, that’s great. This isn’t an elite or nothing situation. Doug Baldwin was a UDFA who became the key receiver in Seattle despite them trying to find someone “better” to be the key to their passing game. That’s an anomaly. Clearly the Eagles need to invest a key resource or two in the receiver position.
Reynolds feels more like a playmaker. The Eagles do need that kind of help as well, but that’s not the kind of receiver I would focus on. It would be great to add a receiver who could be Carson Wentz’s security blanket. Wentz and Matthews have good chemistry, but Matthews doesn’t have great hands and has limited RAC skills. He could be an outstanding #2 type of receiver.
Mike Williams from Clemson would be really intriguing. There are some medical issues with his neck that could affect his value. I’m fascinated by Dede Westbrook from Oklahoma, but there are character concerns with him. Corey Davis of Western Michigan is a great college player with very good NFL potential. He’s from Western Michigan and hasn’t faced elite competition on a regular basis. There is no college player I’m in love with yet. These guys all make sense, but all have flaws. If Williams’ neck checked out, he would probably be the guy I’d like the most.
There are some other outstanding receivers in the draft. I’m just naming a few.
This year the Eagles added DGB, a big and talented player with character issues. They added Bryce Treggs, a speedster with average size. They have a small school guy like Paul Turner. But none of those players required a serious investment, if any. This offseason we will get a better feel for what the Eagles are looking for and what risks they are willing to take.
Whether free agency or the draft, they will add WR help.
*****
#Cowboys planning on giving veteran QB Mark Sanchez majority of snaps at position Sunday at #Eagles, source said.
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) December 29, 2016
Sunday’s game just got more interesting.
If Sanchez lights up the defense, we may have to banish all of them to the ice caverns of Fridgia.
_
Mark Sanchez = 2 INT’s, right?
Per half? Yes.
The Eagles should Zero Blitz on every down in this game. Sanchez will throw 5 picks. 3 of which we will take back to the house. We will get 10 sacks. I also want to see at least 3 trick plays on offense including a flea flicker. We got nothing to lose. Have some fun. Then let’s finally get to the offseason where we can upgrade at WR, CB, RB and LB. Our fan base deserves a playoff caliber team next season. That is very realistic.
The more you watch Josh Reynolds, the more you will like him as an Eagles target. If he is available in the 2nd, pull the trigger. I watch a lot of A&M football (many in my family graduated from there and I grew up watching them), and Reynolds is one of my favorite players to come out of that program in many years. He came out of nowhere, busted his ass, and has become a stud. He is fast, physical (for his frame), and can attack (and actually catch) a football. He is also a great special teamer. I dont know if he is a 1st rounder, but his success these last two years may push him up boards.
I’d be happy with the bore worms over Fridgia.
Amazing film and soundtrack.
Some (me) might say it’s the greatest film of all time
It’s very rare for me to disagree with you Tommy but i will here. I think the situation is the exact opposite. We have ‘foundational’ options in Matthews and Ertz who should with time develop enough chemistry with Wentz to be able to be effective in those 3rd down and redzone situations.
What the Eagles need frankly is two outside WR’s, one at least needs to be a genuine deep threat to help pin back the safeties and the other to be a good all round WR. Both can theoretically be found anywhere in the draft, Antonio Brown was found in the 6th, but as with most draft positions i think you get success at a higher rate further up the draft.
However i think it is no guarantee the Eagles end up taking a WR early in the 2017 draft. The situation is so bad currently that they will have to address the position in free agency and having done that i could see the team going BPA and hitting up defence and maybe RB (the 2 areas of strength in this class) and coming around and looking at WR in the mid to late rounds a 2-3 times and hope to find a nice no.2 type WR for the long term.
In fact I think sadly we need both – a #1/go-to WR, the type Tommy mentions, AND a deep threat. If we get both with one player (a Antonio Brown, O.Beckham type) then good but we need both things for this offense to stretch the field and get a reliable target on key downs.
It seems likely that DJax will be back. Assuming all that smoke leads to actual fire, JMatt and Ertz should have more room to work.
With the needs at CB and OL, I can’t see going WR early, unless Mike Williams slips.
Westbrook is interesting. If they can get the off-the-field stuff contained, he could be a steal.
Not many OL worth taking in the first this draft. Even with Jax coming back i don’t think it means they pass on a WR early
Seems like Williams is the type of WR that Doug likes. Not sure they would take Ross that high. Corey Davis is gonna be an interesting argument. Looks great, but that level of competition is concerning.
Is Corey Davis playing in the Senior Bowl? I’m sure we’ll get a better view of him there.
Agreed. I’m sure the scouts would love to see him against the top CB’s. If he can beat press coverage, he’ll be right up there with Williams.
A few of the draft writers have been throwing out “TO” when analyzing Davis. That’s something I’m looking forward to seeing in greater detail.
I think Davis has an extra gear that Williams doesnt have. But the Senior Bowl workouts will be big
A lot might depend on if we end up picking at 9 or 15ish.
I’m all for Teez Tabor in round 1.
I’m 110% married to BPA…………..and hopefully 2 or 3 QBs going ahead of our pick.
What if OJ Howard is BPA?
Im about BPA to a degree. For example, if a S is the highest ranked player on the board I would be ok with getting the next highest rated guy
I saw one mock where we took Peppers. I’d love to see him in this defense. With all the 3WR sets now, his versatility and play-making would be very valuable.
Isn’t he a SS at the NFL level? Would he be a Weak side LB for us? Hicks and Peppers in the Nickel?
Teez was not available at 14
Round 1 Pick 14: Mike Williams, WR, Clemson (A+)
Round 2 Pick 10: Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford (A)
Round 3 Pick 14 (MINN): Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame (A-)
Round 4 Pick 10: Brandon Facyson, CB, Virginia Tech (A-)
Round 4 Pick 14 (MINN): Marquez White, CB, Florida State (A-)
Round 5 Pick 1: Derrick Nnadi, DT, Florida State (A-)
Round 5 Pick 10: Conor McDermott, OT, UCLA (B+)
Round 6 Pick 10: Ejuan Price, OLB, Pittsburgh (A-)
Round 7 Pick 10: Derek Rivers, DE, Youngstown State (B-)
With the defense in the state it is (at least the secondary), I don’t like waiting until the 4th round to pick up a CB.
None will be any good.
Westbrook has medical stuff too, and the off field is ugly
I don’t follow college football like some others here, but Kempski was saying it’s a CB (and RB) rich draft. If that turns out to be the case months from now, then maybe WR in the 1st is a good idea if they think they will get a starting CB in the 2nd. Then maybe go RB in the 3rd and start loading up on OL in the 4th.
Another thing he said that I thought was interesting: Somneone asked him about moving up in the 1st round and Kempski thought it was more likely that the Eagles move back a little for additional picks because of the depth of the draft.
Why on earth isn’t Dallas going to play Romo at all? If Dak gets hurt, are they really going to play Sanchez in a playoff game?
Dak getting hurt probably why they wont play Romo this Sunday. Romo only has a few hits in him before breaks again.
I hope that blows up on them; badly.
Letting the 3rd string QB get beeat up?
Nope; some type of QB availability and/or who to play controversy type issue.
Hopefully mid-loss to Seattle.
Its Dak’s job. If he gets hurts then Romo is next up
That’s part of my point; wouldn’t you want Romo sharp in the event that he’s needed?
Romo might be trade bait. What if he gets hurt or sucks this week?
I guess that depends on your risk tolerance either way. What’s more likely to be the need for Dallas?
I would just assume Dak doesn’t get hurt if i was them and operate normaly. Not sure how many times he has even been touched
I don’t see a whole lot of teams jumping at Romo’s contract. For his mediocre talent and horrible playoff record, most teams are going to look elsewhere instead of paying that much for Romo!
Denver,Jets,Buffalo,Chicago
he’ll get traded to 1 of those teams. My guess is Denver.
Sitting Dak for two weeks could backfire. Here’s hoping he returns rusty and sluggish.
You made their point.
They probably trust Romo most of the three QB’s. They can’t replace Dak because of his success. No need to put Romo out there without the starting LT. Let Sanchez take the hits.
Plus, some team may be willing to give up a decent draft pick for Romo. His value probably increases if he doesn’t play this season.
http://overthecap.com/player/tony-romo/145/
It’ll be interesting to see what this contract dictates with Romo and his value in a trade.
I’m also operating under the premise that Dak is fraudulent and that Romo would give them a better chance to win.
I think a lot of Cowboy fans want to see Romo operate this offense. Things may get hairy if WAS or GB come in there and light them up.
Yup.
I think it is the same situation as RGIII is WAS at the end. The risk of injury leading being unable to trade him isn’t worth a regular season game. I am sure he would play in the playoffs.
I really hope he does, his rust costs them the game, and then he acts a fool and cannot be traded.
Well when we injure Sanchez who will they bring in to play the remainder of the game? I really wish they needed to play their starters this game so we could MURK them.
Seth Joyner is my boy and all that, but he needs to slow his role on valuation of draft picks. If Reynolds is a guy Howie wants, I expect Howie to get him in the correct round; no reaching allowed!
Was it real valuation, or a manifesto on the importance of catching the football?
Jordan Matthews
67-872-8
85-997-8
73-804-3
Assuming Matthews stays as an appx 5 catch / 60 yard a game type dude; what’s he worth on his next deal?
5-6.5M I really have no idea. I guess the market will be set once Alshon or ODB gets paid
I’m really ok with them not extending him this year
I think he get’s overpaid a little.
Seems like the kind of guy Doug wants around a young team. Might be worth the extra $$ for his leadership.
For our perspective, Matthews seems like a strong, disciplined leader. But one never knows how the players look at it. For all we know, they might think he’s an uptight dick who needs to put his money where his mouth is come Sunday.
This. As much as we follow the team and think we understand its every nuance, we don’t always know what the players think of each other. I know I’d be annoyed with the “rah rah” guy who goes out of his way to showcase his work ethic to coaches and media, then performs at a mediocre level.
Excellent point
I’d let him test the market.
I would give him a low offer with incentives, otherwise, I’d let Jordan go. He can be replaced easily.
Irony, part 2: When McCoy went to Buffalo, there was talk about Ryan being a “pro player’s” coach, treating the players like grown men rather than kids. Now that he’s canned, some of his players like Sammy Watkins are saying that the new coach needs to instill discipline on the team, stop letting players do whatever they want. The grass is always greener…
The grass is always greener when you’re winning. Winning matters, not abstract things like players’ coach or disciplinarian or swagger.
Not sure that stuff is abstract, but you are certainly correct that winning colors the interpretations people make.
A question for the draftniks: If the Eagles come away with Dalvin Cook, what of Darren Sproles?
Sproles will be here. He’s said that 2017 will be his last year. He seems to like the team and Doug/Howie seem to value his play as well as his intangibles.
If we do get Cook, I imagine the backfield will be Cook, Smallwood, Sproles, with a rookie on the PS.
Thanks. I had not read of Sproles’ plans. Cook is dynamic, but that trio is on the small side. Doesn’t DP like him a heavyweight bruiser (a less fragile Ryan Matthews)?
that’s the first I’ve heard of Cook being considered “small”. He’s at least the same size as Jamaal Charles.
I don’t think of him as too small to be a feature back, but he’s not a change-up from Sproles or Smallwood. He’s shorter than Smallwood, but a couple inches taller than DS. None of them are 6′. I think you mistook my comment. Terrell Watson is 240lbs, and he might not be NFL grade, but I think DP wants a ball carrier (at least one) with that size.
I don’t discount the need for a bigger back in certain cases, but more as a changeup. I think if you have someone like Cook, you worry more about whether Smallwood is enough of a changeup from him rather than whether Cook is a changeup from Smallwood.
Having watched some tape on Cook, I think he’s a more elusive, speedy back than Smallwood, but also has decent size and can run up the middle. He has elements to his game the Smallwood doesn’t, and if I have the opportunity to get him, I wouldn’t think that having Smallwood would affect my decision making. Same as how I wouldn’t worry about size and think that I don’t need Corey Davis or Mike Williams because Jordan Matthews is the same size.
Sproles will be on the roster no matter what. If they take Cook that high he’s their 20 carries a game guy. Cook is probably going to weigh 215ish in season in the NFL, no one will mistake him for Peyton Hillis but he’s more than capable on 3rd and 1. He’s no Donnel Pomphrey
The Eagles would probably then look for a bigger guy as a UDFA, or a FB who can tote the rock a little.
Hes already on the roster, goes by the name, Beau Allen.
Other than a win, the thing I want most in the world this week is a Beau Allen FB Dive for a touchdown. I hope Beau went to Doug’s office after the Poe Pass and said “I’m not asking to throw the ball but let the big man eat!”
“Im not asking Dug, Im telling you.”
“If you give Bryon Marshall the ball on the six inch yardline I’m going to go poop in your desk during OTAs”
LOL! “And Chip gave me a recipe for an extra fiber/laxitive smoothie. Good luck with that bb.”
How can he say no to Honey Beau Beau?
The great thing about Cook is that he is a complete back similar to Westbrook and McCoy was for us. Cook is just more talented.
Cook should be in the 120-150 scrimmage yards per game. If we ad a speed guy to hold the safeties, Ertz and Matthews should feast
“…the Eagles added DGB, a big and talented player…” I don’t know about that whole “talented” thing – I have yet to see it, except for part of one game where he did well. Nothing consistent in his game though.
People use “talented” to mean “fast” or “tall,” or for QBs, “has a big arm.” I think talent should mean “things that translate into NFL production,” but I’m not king of the world, yet.
My arguement all year. To some..talent means that if you’re in the nfl..you have talent. That’s true to a degree. That doesnt mean that player is talented enough to be successful in the nfl. So while the Eagles have talent at every position (including practice squad)…they aren’t talented enough to be successful(start conversations on what successful means in the nfl…lol)… Word talent is used like the word f@#& to an Italian. Its an enhancer to a word or sentence :).
Matthews and DGB have size to be sure, but neither of them are “Big” WRs in the sense that they don’t jump up to get the ball and win contested catches with muscle. The Eagles could really use a WR like that.
DGB might, but Matthews certainly doesn’t play big.
He does once he has the ball, which is weird.
I think this season has shown that DGB does not play big.
Traveled to Philly to see Rogue One yesterday in the Franklin Institute dome with my kids. I enjoyed it a lot, reminded me of the Eagles season.
Many Bothans died to bring us our Carson Wentz?
Well played, Dad, I’ll bet the kids had a blast.
Seen it twice. Gareth Edwards nailed it, and I hope he gets another Star Wars movie.
My ideal WR characterisitics: Between 5’10- 6’2″, 190-215, runs 4.35-4.55, 3-cone under 7 secs. Excellent in route running and hands category and I can sacrifice athleticism and explosive playmaking.
Sadly Agholor fitted that profil perfectly coming out
Chip ruined and co ruined him. Idk how or exactly who but he should be better than he is.
My ideal WR characteristics: only available adjectives to describe him will be: beast, monster, machine, and my personal favorite “Big Swinging Dick”.
I don’t get your height parameters. Megatron is 6’5 and if he wasn’t ideal who is? Harold Carmichael would be crushed.
Hard to find someone that big with all the other attributes. Just trying to be kinda realistic i guess
Remember Momah lol
Momahtron.
So what that make you an idealistic realist or a realistic idealist?
Both, in fact, my man!
He is masculine and handy yet has a soft side including being a good listener too.
What kind of WR do we want? The kind that can catch the damn ball.
“must want to be ‘the guy'”
100% agree. Though this got me to thinking. Who have we had (in my life) that has ever been “the guy”. Immediately T.O comes to mind. He was certainly “the man”.
-begin random tangent *here-
Then you will obviously think about Desean and Maclin. I don’t know about these guys. Under Reid neither one ever seemed to step up and take ownership as “the man”. I remember so many discussions about how they were both GREAT 2s. Well then Chip came along (and Maclin was hurt), then Desean really did become “the man” and embrace the role. Then Desean magically disappeared the next year, and Maclin really embraced that role.
After each year of respective “cock on the walk” status those guys left and received that role for another team. Maclin is too humble to tell, but Desean certainly had that mindset from day 1 in DC. Neither guy really has been “the guy since”.
Was Chip able to bring the best out of those guys and force them to meet their potential? Did they hold each other back, did we have too much of a good thing? Was it Reid?
-end tangent-
see this is what happens when there isn’t competitive football for me to think about.
Really interesting stuff
Freddie Mitchell played “the man” part, but he didn’t deliver. Part of the game is confidence bordering on cocky. The other part is ability. T.O. had all three, and he was slightly nuts. It seems like most great (not all) WR’s are nuts.
Freddie clearly had talent enough to have been a consensus first round pick. Maybe he lacked work ethic or football intelligence or something.
cccc
So you think this past draft was horrible?
Rowe looked to be a very good player for us. We changed to a scheme that he no longer fit. He is playing good in NE.
Regardless, your aware that the 2015 draft was all on Chip right?
So what if it was on Chip. Ray and the rest of those idiots on WYSP and 97.5 said those two picks were great. Well, they weren’t, they sucked. Howie has proven he can’t draft for shit.
So I ask the question again. You think this past draft was garbage?
Time will tell whether this draft works out. However, I think Wentz looks like a franchise QB, and it was worth the picks to get him. The 3rd rd pick, Isaac the OL probably will be the center, I don’t think much of Smallwood. The OL Vaitai looks like a quality backup tackle, maybe a starter if Lane moves to LT. Mills will end up cut when they get someone else. This draft is all about Wentz and that’s the way it will be evaluated. The only confidence I have in Howie drafting is that they hired that former Ravens personnel man.
Mills won’t be cut. He will move to slot where he belongs.
Probably not because he’s cheap and they have control for a few years, but that shouldn’t be reassuring to Mills since he’s not very good.
His skill set fits the slot. Playing outside is a totally different ball game.
Mills has no skill set, he sucks.
thats the disappointing thing tho. if your scheme cant incorporate a talented player, you’re not doing your job right. they obviously know more about the situation than we ever will but its too bad to lose talent when we so desperately need CB talent.
Rowe would have been really really bad in this scheme. Sometimes you have to take in consideration the team and scheme over a single player.
Barwin was great in the 3-4, not the 4-3. Can you find a way to make him a good player for us without switching to the 3-4?
I’m sure Sanchez will get a warm Philly welcome – booooooo!
It would be fitting too if the Boys are driving for the game winning score and Sanchez throws a pick to Hicks/Bradham because he didn’t see them sitting in zone right in front of Bryant.
Now I’m looking for Hicks to knockout at least two Dallas QBs instead of just one.
Eh, its pretty weak to wish anyone to get injured in a football game. I’m sure people aren’t being lame and hope you get injured at your job.
Don’t be so certain.
Is there enough time before Sunday to organize a campaign to have fans attending the game throw frozen chicken fingers at him when he takes the field?
Not opposed to this idea but it would be a darned waste of some tasty chicken fingers.
‘WHAT kind of WR’!
DeSean
Thanks. Next question.
Lookie what popped up in my FB Memories. SMH. Time flies!!! I can’t wait for our Birds to get back on top!!!
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/ba56da1fa0d672f63b0b867a39377d631892188499c718192655796c434a1586.png
A lifetime ago it seems. I can’t remember a pro coach in Philly who the fans soured on so quickly after being so high on high just 12 months prior.
Absolutely agree about a “Anquan Boldin” type receiver for Wentz. Even though he’s been in somewhat of a decline this season, he still might have been a nice FA addition for the Birds – providing both a “safety blanket” for Wentz and maybe setting an example of being a hardnosed pro to some of the younger ones … like DGB whom I question whether he is all that “talented.” Yes, he has requisite size and speed and some RAC ability, but he has yet to translate that into a credible NFL receiver … and frankly I don’t see it happening.
Incidentally, look at the “talent” level of Brady’s receivers in NE. None of his WR’s fits the “desired” size/speed mold yet all are very effective, and not just because of Brady’s talents (though it certainly helps). One gets the impression that these guys WORK HARD at their trade and along with desire and smarts, made themselves into very good receivers. Alas, I don’t see that happening with DGB … ever.
Not really sure its good to compare Brady, one of the top 3 QBs of all time’s receivers to Wentz and his receivers just yet. If you put Brady’s receivers on a Bradyless team without Belichek as coach they are nearly as good.
I would take Edelman and Hogan ahead of ANY of the Eagles’ receivers … REGARDLESS of who the QB is. And my hunch is that Wentz would be pretty happy with these guys too.
For me the ideal WR would be a guy with
1. great hands and ability to make difficult catches
2. play speed not just 40 times.
3. route running
4. RAC
Mike Williams is the only guy who I would really want to spend a 1st pick on. I just think that he’ll have the highest floor + ceiling then again I stink at evaluating WR talent. I know some people want a speedster to help open up the other WRs but it’s not really going to fix their main issue (their hands).
As much crap that DGB has gotten, he’s still pretty talented. It’s in our best interest that he’ll be a late bloomer despite the chances being very low right now.
DGB needs a come to Jesus moment. His route running is pretty awful and i guess the limited routes that the Eagles use him on is indicative of the fact he has struggled to learn the playbook.
He needs someone to get in his ear and tell him next year might be his last chance to genuinely make it in the NFL. Not many situations where the WR situation is so wide open. Go away hire a coach and devour the playbook and learn the fundamentals of each west coast route tree, then jump on a plane to go to where ever Carson is in March and make sure that if he is tossing a ball anywhere he is there to catch it.
The raw talent is there – he just needs to commit 100% to the NFL and football and we could have a player…
I think we brought in Dawkins for that. I’m sure Harold Carmichael would be willing to help too. It’s not just his route-running. I think he’s scared of getting hurt like Maclin was. Even though he was raw in college, he was able to just flat out do anything since he’s so physically gifted. I don’t think that has really changed since he got into the NFL. He just seems like he’s content as is and has no drive/will to improve and dominate.
Que the montage music….
Some later round WRs to keep an eye on
Amara Darboh
Travin Dural
Malachiu Dupre
Ryan Switzer
If you are frustrated with Agholor, DGB and Matthews drops, don’t torture yourself with Dupre.
Both LSU WRs have alligator arms at times and then makes some stupid catches. They’re not like the past LSU WR duo for sure.
Cook looks damn good.
I would say lets draft him with our #1 but i’m afraid of the Zeke bias making me want to draft an RB high. We did well in the Andy years building the lines with our early picks and picking up skill players later.
damn good.
I don’t think Zeke runs routes like that. Cook would be our best WR.
Please let Romo play incredibly well on Sunday to put in the back of Jerry’s mind that he is the QB they should go to if Prescott struggles a bit in the playoff game.
https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/thumbnails/image/2015/06/03/13/inception.jpg