How Maclin stacks up
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How Maclin stacks up
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
The Eagles caught most observers off-guard in 2009 when they traded up to take Jeremy Maclin with the 19th overall pick.
This was a franchise that had seemingly hit a home run with DeSean Jackson the previous year, after failing to adequately address the wide receiver position for much of Andy Reid's tenure (aside from Terrell Owens, of course).
Three years later, Maclin has proven to be the most versatile wide receiver on this team and appears ready to take another step forward in 2012.
Six wide receivers were taken in the first round of the '09 draft. The Raiders took Darrius Heyward-Bey at No. 7, and the 49ers took Michael Crabtree at 10. After Maclin went at 19, the Vikings took Percy Harvin with the 22nd pick, the Giants landed Hakeem Nicks at No. 29, and Tennessee picked Kenny Britt at 30.
Here's a look at how Maclin has stacked up to his peers:
| Games | Catches | Yards | YPR | TDs | |
| Nicks | 42 | 202 | 3,034 | 15.0 | 24 |
| Harvin | 45 | 218 | 2,625 | 12.0 | 17 |
| Maclin | 44 | 188 | 2,585 | 13.8 | 19 |
| Crabtree | 42 | 175 | 2,240 | 12.8 | 12 |
| Britt | 31 | 101 | 1,765 | 17.5 | 15 |
| Heyward-Bey | 40 | 99 | 1,465 | 14.8 | 6 |
* It should be noted that Pittsburgh's Mike Wallace, a third-round pick that year, leads the class with 3,206 yards and is tied with Nicks with 24 touchdowns.
Among the first-round picks, Nicks has been the most productive of the group. And if there were a re-draft, he'd almost certainly be the top selection.
There's more to Harvin's numbers than what's listed above. He has 587 rushing yards and has averaged 6.9 yards per carry. Harvin's also scored seven times as a runner/returner.
Maclin's overall numbers stack up well to his peers. He's averaged 58.8 receiving yards per game, and last year, despite the health scare in the offseason, he averaged 66.1, a career best. Perhaps his biggest strength, at least as it pertains to the Eagles' offense, is Maclin's versatility. He tied DeSean Jackson for the team lead with 15 catches of 20+ yards. He also led the Eagles with eight red-zone receptions, including four touchdowns.
Sometimes, we assume receivers need to be tall to be productive in the red zone, but that's not always the case. At 6-0, Maclin had 11 red-zone grabs, including seven for touchdowns, in 2010.
Here's how Maclin's first three years compare to Jackson's:
| Games | Catches | Yards | YPR | TDs | |
| Jackson | 45 | 172 | 3,135 | 18.2 | 17 |
| Maclin | 44 | 188 | 2,585 | 13.8 | 19 |
Jackson, obviously more of a big-play threat, has the edge in yards and yards-per-catch. Maclin has the edge in catches and touchdowns, although it must be noted that Jackson has scored seven more times on runs/returns.
Other than the health scare, Maclin hasn't had any distracting issues like Jackson (throwing the ball at Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell, getting suspended against the Cardinals). But as a first-round pick, he also received a richer contract than Jackson when he entered the league.
Looking ahead, Maclin is signed through 2013. It is reasonable to expect him to turn in a career year in 2012, eclipse the 1,000-yard mark for the first time and be a big part of the Birds' red-zone offense. If those projections are close to on point, the Eagles and Maclin could be talking contract extension after the season.
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Percy Harvin has a migraine headache problem that causes him to miss games. Nicks has chronic foot problems. Kenny Britt has getting arrested problems. Maclin will have the best career of the bunch.— soulman386- It wouldn't surprise me if you are right and he does end up having the best career of all those names. He's in a pass heavy offense with another WR threat. He is entering his prime now and I think we may see great things. — bc3030
I debate all the time with my friends that this was the best Wide Receiver draft in recent years. What is surprising is that so many fell deep in the draft.- I was hoping the Eagles would take Brandon Pettigrew at #21; instead they traded up to grab Maclin at #19, and Pettigrew went to the Lions with the next pick. I still think that Pettigrew would have been a great pick, but Maclin has been very good for the Eagles. One thing nobody can dispute: Al Davis did the Eagles a big favor by reaching for Heyward-Bey.— paolibulldog
- After watching him in college, I thought Maclin would go in the top ten. When he was still there at 18, I wanted the Eagles to trade up and draft him, which they then did. So far, though, I'd call him a #55 draft pick, not a #19. Maybe this year he'll put it all together. Hasn't shown the break-away ability I saw in college.— armchairGM
- The Eagles didn't win or lose with this pick. It was solid. Maclin is probably the very definition of "good".— guyguy4
- When your first round pick turns out to be good, it is a win. Only a few first rounders ever turn out to be great, so you should always be happy if you get a solid starter rather than a bust.
That said, I think Maclin is better than just "good".— bc3030 - It was too high of a price to pick him. Too high. Who would you rather have: Clay Matthews or Maclin? Mike Wallace or Maclin? Britt or Maclin? Nicks or Maclin? Harvin or Maclin? First round picks should be team leaders and difference makers. Maclin is neither.— rubicon24
- Hindsight's 20/20. Maclin was a consensus top ten talent. Just because an all-pro was drafted after your guy, especially at a different position, doesn't mean anything so we will ignore the Matthews comparison so we don't have to call you stupid. If the draft was re-drafted today the picks would be pretty straight forward here: Wallace, Nicks, Maclin, Harvin and Britt. I don't think too many teams would take a compromised Harvin nor a brittle Britt who really was a big play or disappear kind of player until he got hurt. After next season, Maclin could pass Nicks as well. — UncleStosh
- And, before I forget, due to dropped passes and fumbles, this guy's mistakes have cost this team games. Plus, he is a non-factor in the red zone. Until this team gets better in the red zone, they are not going to win. He cannot create space. He is too small.— rubicon24
- You have a valid point. Maclin made some major mistakes in important situations last year. But I like to think those mistakes can be corrected and when you view the entire body of his work last season he played very well. — bc3030
- Nicks help the giants get another super ring. Now its our turn. Go Eagles!!— Yes_General
- No one would have picked Wallace, Harvin, Britt, or Nicks ahead of Maclin. No one. But some dummy picked Heyward-Bey, and the 9ers took Crabtree-- who was also thought to be a "can't-miss", so that's not their fault. It was a good pick, that's all. He would have had around 1,100 yards last season if he had played all 16 games. Imagine if he'd been able to practice in camp, instead of wondering if he was going to die!— operagost
- Hey you, this is the philly.com comments section. It is not the place for reasoned, sensible opinions. As a penance, you must make a post that references both Andy Reid's weight and green Kool-Aid. — bc3030
- Maclin should get a pass due to his illness last year. He has been pretty solid, hopefully McNutt beats out Cooper so we can have a legit tall threat, that will open up opportunities for Maclin and Avant. Jackson is a wasted position inside the 20
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