If you were GM: Which wide receiver would you sign?
12 January 2017 Eagles News
There is no doubt about it, the Eagles need wide receiver help. Fortunately for the Eagles, there are a lot of solid receivers who will be available in free agency. Put yourself in the shoes of GM Howie Roseman, which one would you sign?
If I were GM, I would be looking for a deep threat in free agency. The Eagles need a wide receiver who can stretch the field and make a play out of nothing.
This season, the Eagles ranked in the bottom half of the NFL in receiving plays greater than 20 yards and 40 yards. Jordan Matthews had the most 20+ yard plays with 13.
Knowing that, on the market, there are a few solid options for the Eagles. Players like, Desean Jackson, Kenny Stills, and more.
Let’s take a look at the players I would look at if I were the GM.
First off, you have to look at Desean Jackson. The player who should have never left Philadelphia in the first place. Jackson finished this past season with 1,005 yards receiving on 56 receptions. He also tallied four touchdowns.
Jackson is a deep threat. This season, Jackson led the NFL averaging 17.9 yards per reception. In his career, he has averaged 17.7 yards per reception. You cannot question his deep threat ability. We know what he can do, but here are just a few reminders.
Jackson has that playmaking, deep threat ability that no one on the current roster has. Jackson can be quiet for the whole game and change it on one play.
Jackson has seemed to have expressed a lot of interest in a return to Philly. However, the question would have to be, at what price? Being that Jackson is 30-year-old, is he the player you want to invest in?
The numbers have to be just right. There is no doubt that Jackson will be able to assist Carson Wentz a lot over the next couple of seasons. However, you do not want to break the bank to make that happen. After all, there are a few other options.
This brings us to Kenny Stills.
At just 24 years old, Stills is a vert attractive free agent. Especially for a team that is rebuilding for the future. However, after having a career-high, nine touchdowns in Miami. The Dolphins might be reluctant to let him go.
This season, Stills hauled in 42 receptions for 726 yards and nine touchdowns. He finished third in the NFL in yards per reception with 17.3.
Let’s take a look at his work.
You cannot see the beginning of this play, but he burns Byron Jones right off of the line. If you get beaten by Stills off the line, you are done, he is too quick.
Stills beats his man once again. He does a great move at the line of scrimmage. He ends up picking up a nice chunk of yards on the play.
Stills is a fascinating free agent. However, at his age and with his ability, there will likely be a competition for his services. He did just have a great year with the Dolphins. Maybe, he stays there.
There is no doubt Stills is a great player who will help the Eagles in a lot of ways. His age and nine touchdowns this season will make him attractive to any team looking for a deep threat. Stills might be in for a nice payday.
The next receiver I am looking at is Kenny Britt.
Britt is 28 years old but is coming off of his best season yet. Britt broke the 1,000 yard mark for the first time in his career. He caught 68 passes for 1,002 yards and five touchdowns.
Britt is not exactly just a deep threat, he is a do all receiver. However, as you can see below, he has that deep threat ability.
Britt shows off his deep threat ability here.
However, Britt had a much-reduced yard per completion (14.7) than the likes of Desean Jackson and Kenny Stills.
The attractive thing with Britt is his age. At 28, he does have a couple solid years left. He can play for four more years at a very high level. That is not the best part. His age will scare other teams. Knowing that, his price tag might be a lot lower than Jackson and Stills.
Put yourself in the shoes of the GM. Are you going after a reunion with Desean Jackson? Would you rather have the younger Jackson in Kenny Stills? Lastly, are you just chasing Kenny Britt, the cheap veteran?
In my opinion, if I were GM, I am in the for market for Stills. I think he can be a legit deep threat for Wentz. He will help Wentz for years to come.
Ryan Neal DeSean Jackson, Kenny Britt, Kenny Stills, Philadelphia Eagles