Dorial Green-Beckham: How Risky is the Acquisition?
By Chuck Booth
The Philadelphia Eagles made a trade to acquire Dorial Green-Beckham on Tuesday for backup guard/ tackle Dennis Kelly.
Dorial Green-Beckham is an ultra-talented wide receiver who could make a significant impact on the Philadelphia Eagles roster if he gets it together. But, receivers with size, speed, and good hands aren’t traded every day so, what gives?
Why the Tennessee Titans let Dorial Green-Beckham go:
The team was disappointed with Dorial Green-Beckham’s work ethic during his year-plus with the team. He also didn’t listen to team instructions during the offseason that were to work out harder during the offseason and return to the team in proper shape. That didn’t happen and Green-Beckham showing up to camp out of shape was the final straw.
There were also rumors that Dorial Green-Beckham was late for meetings and practices for the Titans during the season last year, but they were firmly quashed by Terry McCormick of titansinsider.com. To him, the reason was that Green-Beckham never mastered the Titans’ offense during his time with the squad. The Titans didn’t have a very good offense but Dorial Green-Beckham was able to put up decent numbers. Last season, he caught 32 passes for 549 yards and 4 touchdowns.
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The Titans had Green-Beckham, Rishard Matthews, Harry Douglas, Andre Johnson and rookie Tajae Sharpe on their depth chart. That’s a list with numerous starting options so something had to give. With the emergence of Sharpe during the preseason, Green-Beckham was deemed surplus to requirements. The Titans also had a need on the offensive line which lined up the Philadelphia Eagles as proper trade partners.
Why the Philadelphia Eagles wanted Dorial Green-Beckham:
Looking at the members of the receiving core for the Philadelphia Eagles, it’s hard to get excited. The roster consists of Jordan Matthews, Nelson Agholor, Josh Huff, Chris Givens, Rueben Randle T.J. Graham and Hunter Sharp. None of those receivers scream’s threat. This was a low-risk option for the Eagles to upgrade their offensive arsenal for the price of a tackle who wouldn’t factor largely into their season.
While the Philadelphia Eagles will be dealing with the possible suspension of Lane Johnson, it’s tough to believe that Kelly would truly factor into their replacement plan. While he has served the team well during his tenure it was time to part ways for the potential that Dorial Green-Beckham has.
Green-Beckham already slots into the depth chart (thanks again Roster Resource) as the number four wide receiver and with a strong preseason, he could easily climb the ranks. The Eagles wanted another receiver and even offered a deal to Anquan Boldin before he signed with the lions and they’ve finally gotten their guy.
The risk factor:
Trading for Dorial Green-Beckham doesn’t come without risk for the Eagles. He’s a player that has frustrated teams to no end but keeps getting chances because of the talent that he possesses. One thing working in the Eagles favor is that this may be one of his last true shots to succeed in the NFL. Due to the troubles that followed him through college, he’s sure to be on a short leash with the team.
The Eagles also have a strong veteran presence on the offensive side of the ball to hopefully steer Green-Beckham in the right direction. Darren Sproles is one of the most respected offensive players in the league and Jordan Matthews has a high work ethic that Doug Pederson will hope rubs off on Green-Beckham.
If this deal blows up for the Eagles they can easily cut their ties with minimal losses so the financial risk in the deal is pretty low. If he succeeds, Howie Roseman will look like a genius while if he fails people will forget that he actually existed.
When you’re in rebuilding mode like the Eagles are now these are the type of project moves that need to be made. The upside on Green-Beckham is too high to not make this trade. If the Eagles can keep him in check, look out, we may have a new number one receiver on our hands.