Meet The Prospect: Shelton Gibson, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
After a couple of nifty tradebacks to recoup some value from the Pumphrey trade, the Philadelphia Eagles snagged a rumored target in speedy Shelton Gibson.
They brought him in for a visit. The DeSean Jackson comps floated around. And lo and behold, the rumors became reality: Shelton Gibson is a Philadelphia Eagle.
Desperately in need of some speed on the boundary last season, UDFA Bryce Treggs was brought to Philadelphia off waivers. While he had that ‘take-the-top-off’ ability, his inability to locate the football in the air and compete for it through contact diminished his effect on the Eagle offense. In an effort to improve the vertical threat of the aerial attack, veteran FA Torrey Smith was signed from San Francisco. Another deep threat, he has had significantly more NFL success than Treggs ever sniffed. At a low price, it was a bargain pick-up.
But Smith is old, coming off of an unproductive season, and was signed to what is essentially a one-year deal with options in 2018 and 2019. He could easily flounder in Philadelphia.
Enter Shelton Gibson.
A 4.50 40-yard dash had draftniks holding their breath, but a 4.39 showing at his Pro Day assuaged those concerns. Gibson is a pure deep threat, who excels when releasing from the line of scrimmage, separating down the field with speed, and tracking the ball in the air.
You can see how the play-action holds the boundary safety for just a moment, and that’s all Gibson needs. A smaller receiver (5’11, 191 lbs), Gibson needs to be effective releasing in press-man coverage. He has excellent nuance and wiggle at the line to flip the CB’s hips and do just that.
While he’s hit nicely in stride here, Gibson’s ability to track down the field really separates him as a deep threat. He locates the ball quickly and has nice fluidity through his frame to contort his body and bring it in.
If you ever played a game of pick-up football, you know that catching the ball over your shoulder like that? Not easy.
Gibson’s ability as a deep-threat is coveted, and appropriately so–but he leaves a lot to be desired in the intermediate and short areas of the field. Despite having adequate burst and twitch when releasing at the line, he fails to work through his cuts with any sort of explosiveness. Larger corners swallow him up with ease, and he exhibits no interest in playing physical with his hands or frame.
This is where the DeSean Jackson comp loses steam. DJax was a dog across the middle of the field who knew how to create separation; Gibson’s physicality and change of direction skills require serious work if he’s ever to become more than a deep threat.
Next: Meet The Prospect: Donnel Pumphrey, Running Back, Philadelphia Eagles
After selecting Mack Hollins, the Philadelphia Eagles grabbed another speed freak for their wide receiver corps. Gibson and rooking RB Donnel Pumphrey will likely compete for return reps as well. That’s a camp battle to watch moving forward for sure. The cupboard of offensive weapons, bare for Carson Wentz last season, is getting stocked on Day 3 of the Draft.
Grade: B