Eagles need depth at wide receiver and tight end
Here is the third in a series of looks at the Eagles roster:
Eagles need depth at wide receiver and tight end
Zach Berman
Here is the third in a series of looks at the Eagles roster:
Today: Wide receivers and tight ends
On the roster: One year ago, the combination of DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin appeared to be a strong foundation at wide receiver for the foreseeable future. But Jackson’s 2012 campaign ended with an injury, and Maclin still did not eclipse the 1,000-yard plateau that he seemed capable of reaching. Both have talent, and expect both to return in 2013.
There is already discussion of becoming creative with Jackson, specifically utilizing him the way Kelly used De’Anthony Thomas at Oregon. The key is to get Jackson in space and maximize his speed and play-making abilities. That could be out of the backfield, on screens, downfield and on special teams.
Maclin is entering the final year of his contract, and he does not expect a new deal before the season. He has the potential to be a lead receiver in the NFL, but he has not yet had done that for a season. For the sake of his next contract, he should hope 2013 is the season he does it.
The Eagles could bolster the depth at wide receiver. Riley Cooper has shown promise, and he’s one of the few true big-bodied receivers on the roster. Jason Avant is dependable and valuable in the locker room, but he’s not particularly fast and is approaching 30. Marvin McNutt and Damaris Johnson remain unproven. Greg Salas did not play in a game. Ronald Johnson is coming off a major injury, and B.J. Cunningham did not get promoted from the practice squad last year. The Eagles also signed two receivers to futures deals.
Brent Celek leads the tight ends. He’s been a steady performer who is also a strong presence in the locker room, but he’s also getting older and has endured a physical toll on the body. He can use a strong complement, which is what the Eagles hoped Clay Harbor would become. Harbor has offered flashes but finished with only 25 catches last season before an injury cost him the final two games. Evan Moore never had much of an effect when he joined the team in the final month, and Derek Carrier stayed on practice squad.
Not on the roster: Look for some new additions at both wide receiver and tight end. It’s a loaded free agent class, but the Eagles would need to pay big money to land Dwayne Bowe, Mike Wallace or Wes Welker. Victor Cruz is a restricted free agent who would cost the Eagles a pick based on his tender. Danario Alexander would be an intriguing option because of his size if he does not garner a high tender.
A big-bodied wide receiver would give the Eagles something they’re missing. Don’t expect the Eagles to spend a first-round pick on a receiver. Virginia Tech’s Marcus Davis is a big receiver who could be taken in a middle round. If the Eagles are looking for the versatile receiver to be used in different roles, few are better in the NFL than West Virginia’s Tavon Austin. Of course, he would require a pick late in the first round or early in the second round.
At tight end, the Giants’ Martellus Bennett and the Jets’ Dustin Keller will both be on the market. The player with the most potential could be Green Bay’s Jermichael Finley if he becomes available. Ravens backup tight end Ed Dickson, a former Oregon standout under Kelly, is a restricted free agent.
The draft is loaded at that spot. The top tight ends are Notre Dame’s Tyler Eifert and Stanford’s Zach Ertz, but both might go in the first round. After that, pay attention to Florida’s Jordan Reed and Stanford’s Levine Toilolo, both of whom are intriguing options.
Coming tomorrow: Tackles
Clay Harbor is a disappointment with 25 catches? How many catches do you expect a 2nd TE to have? His catch total has gone up every season he's been in the league.— soulman386- "Need depth at WR & TE." What are you talking about???? Pee Wee Jackson, Slow Poke Maclin, GranPa Avant and Hands-Like-Stone Celek are the worst WRs & TE group in the NFL!!!! THE WORST BY FAR!!!! EAGLES NEED 53 NEW PLAYERS including starting WRs and TE.— BP2
Why ... would they have to draft another BIG WR when they already have Riley Cooper and Marvin McNutt.
I mean really, it doesn't get any better than that!!- There are some good WRs on the market. Mike Wallace would be a good fit in Chip Kelly's offense.— FanJab
- I would like to see the Eagles get a receiver like Atlanta's Julio Jones. Big, tough, fast, the guy really impressed me this year.— watsonmr
- jeremy *damn i lost my footing* maclin needs an upgrade.
hes an ok wr but hes small and plays soft.
eagles need at least one bigger/taller/stronger wr who is playmaker.— bloodymess - They need depth at GM and owner. All in Dream team! Dynasty!— Scope33
- You got it 33. More than anything else this team needs new blood at the most senior levels of management. — BP2
- The current crop of receivers isn't too bad between the 20's but they sure disappear in the red zone. Andy Reid never understood receivers just like he never understood linebackers. Or maybe it was the coaches of those two positions.— jrzdvl
- Where do we start? Celek had a brutal year, how many drops? DJax has proven time and again he is not a #1 receiver. And I don't know what happened to Maclin last year but he played like he was afraid to get his skirt dirty. Agree with some of the above; we need a qualified #1 receiver, and a new TE that is above average. Easier said than done.
If not, Chip will need to work miracles with this current cast of characters.— chocolatethunder - Macklin should be a # 1 based on what ? Being short,, his inability to get separation,,His speed ??? Avant is mediocre,,Cooper has no business in the league. Celek,, mediocre is being kind,, please, he is not a "big play" tight end in today's NFL ala Davis from Frisco. I can only hope that Chipper K is not under the same delusions as most Eagles fans on the state of this franchise. WE ARE THE CHIEFS, THE BROWNS,, No amount of excuse making (coaching,, yes it was horrible)will allow us to escape that fact. Sorry Eagles fans,, we are at rock bottom and this thing must be built from the ground up.— phillyroni
- Are you guys even Eagles fans? Are you kidding me? This is the most bull!@#t story I've read yet. The problem didn't spawn on the receivers. It spawned with the injuries on the O-line and the secondary of the the defense.. Fire the wole secondary and some of the D-line. The recievers and tight end look bad when the quaterback is getting sacked and fumbling left and right! No depth needed on this team. One bad year and you all want to hang the whole team. smh... The offense is going to bounce back. The o-line will be healed of injury. The receivers will have more time to run their routes. Those guys have always gave their all to this team. I for one don't think this story is worth the time it took me to bash all you haters..— helimech84
- they do need depth, but i think they have higher priorities. i think they will all get better with the new coaching, but it would still be nice to have a big wr. i like desean, maclin, avant, and johnson and i also like both celek and harbor. adding a big WR would be nice but i think they have bigger priorities. id love to see them get justin hunter though in the second though, but theyl have to go defense. there arent any big guys really who are FAs either. obviously mike wallace or bowe could help out but i believe wallace will resign and bowe may be asking for too much— HDemetriou
- Easiest stat to track? Jeremy Maclin's YAC = 0
I think he was taught in Pop Warner to fall down as soon as he catches the ball.— Mike Boryla - They don't need depth at receiver... They need 2 starters at receiver.. Go get Dwayne Bowe.. Avant is a solid 4th receiver.. Jackson is a mere gadget receiver... Maclin stinks.. Riley Cooper I still kind of like, but he has to stay on the field..— FetchDixon
