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Eagles Free Agency Primer – Wide Receivers

6 March 2017 Eagles News


Free agency in the NFL kicks off at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 9th. If you are an Eagles fan and use either Facebook or Twitter, you’ve most likely seen a lot of the takes out there. While some have a little bit of merit to them, some come off as quite a stretch.

So who can you realistically expect the Eagles to pursue? Stick with me as I try to sort through this all.

At wide receiver, I think their are only two or three options that really make sense. Unless the figures on Alshon Jeffery are inflated (14-16M per year), the Eagles don’t stand a chance to land the classes top wideout. Kenny Stills and DeSean Jackson are the two premier deep threats in this free agent class, which is an aspect of the Eagles offense that is seriously deficient.

While Stills is really young, he’s never had a season that will warrant spending north of 10 million per year. If you question me, go look at his stats prior to 2016 here. Jackson on the other hand is on the wrong side of thirty and the Eagles would be wise to stay away from giving a nice sized contract to an older receiver who needs his legs to consistently win match-ups.

Oct 16, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Terrelle Pryor (11) spikes the ball after scores a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Tennessee won 28-26. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 16, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Terrelle Pryor (11) spikes the ball after scores a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Tennessee won 28-26. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

Terrelle Pryor is a receiver to keep your eye on as he is young, fast and entering his prime. The reported price tag for Pryor is  around 10 million per year, but he is actually worthy of it. Pryor spent his first full year at receiver in 2016 and had quite the year (77/1,007/4) despite the talent around him.

Secondly, there’s not many receivers out there that are 6’4″ and run a 4.38 40-yard dash. Pryor would greatly help the Eagles offense stretch the field and provide another big red zone target, but he can also work over the middle as well. Pryor would kill two birds with one stone, and for that reason he’s worth a bigger contract.

Another realistic target for Eagles fans to get acquainted with is former Rams receiver Kenny Britt. Britt’s market value is said to be in the range of six to eight million per year according to reports. While Britt is known as more of a possession receiver, he can break off some big plays (long receptions of 63, 60 and 66 yards from 2014-2016).

The New Jersey native may want to return home and would fill a big need for Carson Wentz. Britt exploded onto the scene with the Rams in 2016 and is a veteran presence  that could greatly help the younger Eagles receivers. IF the Eagles could pair Britt with current slot receiver Jordan Matthews and a viable deep threat (i.e. John Ross or KD Cannon), look for the Eagles offense to take a leap forward in 2017.

Other names to keep your eye on as Thursday nears: Robert Woods (Buffalo), Adam Thielen (Minnesota), Pierre Garcon (Washington).