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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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3) A WR who does basically nothing after the catch

This is definitely what surprised me the most during my film review. Matthews doesn’t have any open-field quickness about him whatsoever. He lacks any vision or instincts as a ball carrier. He just catches, turns upfield, and gets tackled. I charted 5 broken tackles for Matthews this season. For a WR catching the majority of his passes within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage, that’s…what’s the word?

Bad.

The play below litters Matthews’ tape. He runs this 5-10 yard curl, identifying the hole in the zone well, presenting a big target for Carson and making the catch. Sometimes, he tries to cut behind a closing defender; sometimes he tries to speed between them; and sometimes, like on this 3rd down, he does this.

He isn’t a YAC guy, plain and simple (he averaged 3.5 YAC/reception this past season), which is also…oh, what is that word?!

Bad.

For comparison, other predominantly slot guys: Taylor Gabriel (7.9 YAC/reception), Adam Humphries (7.3 YAC/reception), Chris Hogan (6.6 YAC/reception).

If we want to go with more similar body types/skill sets: Quincy Enunwa (6.5 YAC/reception), Amari Cooper (5.6 YAC/reception) and Michael Thomas (5.2 YAC/reception)

In an offense predicated on the creation of YAC, it would seem that other options such as FA Victor Cruz (5.1 YAC/reception) or–and here it comes–incumbent WR Paul Turner (5.9 YAC/reception) would produce better numbers in Pederson’s system.

However, there’s a big point of distinction to be made here. There was a conversation at the beginning of last season, given the coaching change, regarding the possibility of moving Jordan Matthews to the outside. He has the size and the straight-line speed to make it a real possibility. He can track and adjust well to deep balls, and if he can learn to play with greater physicality on the edge, I truly believe he can be a weapon out wide, where he would not be asked as often to win after the catch.

That’s speed, tracking ability, and a victory in the leverage battle as the ball arrives. With a 6’3 frame and 33″ arms, I’d look for Matthews to make more of these plays next season.

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