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Should The Philadelphia Eagles Extend Jordan Matthews?

By Benjamin Solak

Dec 6, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jordan Matthews (81) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the New England Patriots during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jordan Matthews (81) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the New England Patriots during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /
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2) A WR who excels at separating

This is, undeniably, Matthews’ greatest strength. And it’s one of the most important things for a wide receiver–and a quarterback–to have.

With quick feet and explosion out of cuts, Matthews can regularly cross the face of his defender and present a target to the quarterback. On this play, he receives scheme help from the bubble, no doubt. But the shimmy, quick feet, and explosion are all quite nice. Not for nothing…so are the hands.

Beyond the clean route running and explosiveness out of cuts, few receivers use their hands at both the stem and the top of their route as effectively as Matthews does. With a long frame and solid strength, he can throw defenders off of himself to create space for the quarterback.

Catching, of course, recommended but not required.

And as the ball arrives, watch him create just a little bit of room with the slightest shove (that will never get called) to haul in this beauty.

Matthews’ solid catch rate despite his relatively high number of drops stems in good part from his ability to separate. Defenders don’t have the positioning necessary to make plays on the football when they’re covering Matthews. He runs too clean of routes and wins too often with his hands to allow them positioning when the ball arrives

Again, here’s the full comparison:

  • Jordan Matthews: 6 drops, 117 targets, 62.4% catch rate, 5.1% drop rate
  • Demaryius Thomas: 7 drops, 144 targets, 62.5% catch rate, 4.9% drop rate

Demaryius Thomas signed a 5-year, $70 million dollar deal in 2015. Is Jordan Matthews worth that? Not a chance. Why?

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