Young Guns

Alshon Jeffery and Zach Ertz were the key pass catchers for the Eagles when they won Super Bowl LII. Jeffery is gone and Ertz is on his way out the door. DeVonta Smith will be the key receiver and Dallas Goedert is now the key TE. These young pass catchers both have big time potential and could be stars on an up and coming offense.

Rather than me writing a bunch about Smith, let’s see a breakdown from Fran Duffy.

That is great stuff.

You can see how talented Smith is, but just as importantly you see how smart and skilled he is. Jalen Reagor was so different last year. We talked about his speed and explosive ability. We never talked about him as a polished receiver. Smith is. That should help his transition to the pro game.

Don’t blink.@DeVontaSmith_6 | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/wVRFUjxijP

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) June 2, 2021

Smith is so smooth and fluid. He should be the best route-runner the Eagles have had in a long time.

The NFL is full of elite players. This is the best of the best. You can’t just out-run or out-jump the guy covering you. Receivers have to know the offensive scheme and how to get open. The little things can have a big impact.

I fully expect Smith to have a terrific rookie season.

Dallas Goedert, on his Zoom, said contract extension talks with the #Eagles are ongoing, leaving that to his agent.

Also said he feels he's among the top TEs in the NFL.

— Geoff Mosher (@GeoffMosherNFL) June 2, 2021

https://twitter.com/PFF/status/1400271283552673796

Goedert has flashed big time talent. He’s an above-average blocker. We’ve seen him make tough catches. He has terrific run-after-catch ability. Goedert can be one of the best TEs in football.

He’s got to stay healthy and he’s got to play consistently good football.

This will be the first season where Goedert is the starting TE and a key part of the offense. That means more opportunities, but also more pressure. If he has a big year, he’ll get a big contract extension. If he gets hurt or is inconsistent, that will affect his future in a negative way. Huge year for Goedert. I’m curious to see how he responds.

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After the Eagles claimed Kerryon Johnson last month, they restructured his contract, per source.

Here's a look at Johnson's new cap figure and where the Eagles stand on June 2: https://t.co/yFRWFYvCiG

— Dave Zangaro (@DZangaroNBCS) June 2, 2021

Johnson is now making the veteran minimum. The fact he agreed to take the pay cut tells you he must feel he’s got a good chance to make the team. If he’s healthy, Johnson could be a good backup RB.

As for the Eagles and the cap.

As of the latest NFLPA projection, the #Eagles actually have $8.26 million in cap space.

— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) June 2, 2021

That’s a bit more than I anticipated. And the number will go up when they make a move with Ertz.

Some of the money will go to signing draft picks.

But they do have enough space to add a veteran TE or CB, should they want to. Everything is quiet with Richard Rodgers and Steven Nelson for now.

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