Introducing the newest Philadelphia Eagles star: Alshon Jeffery

Can Pro Bowl wide receiver Alshon Jeffery give the Philadelphia Eagles offense the boost it needs to contend for the NFC East division crown?

The NFL is a quarterback driven league. After selecting their Franchise Quarterback Carson Wentz in the 2016 NFL Draft, it was only a matter of time before the organization began to surround Wentz with weapons. The Philadelphia Eagles used the 2017 Off-season to acquire what was needed to give Carson Wentz the talent he needs to develop and launch the Eagles into the playoffs.

General Manager Howie Roseman made a concentrated effort to complement Wentz with more skill at more positions than he had last season. LeGarrette Blount, Torrey Smith and two rookie receivers were brought in, but none more important than Pro Bowl receiver Alshon Jeffery.

According to NFL.com writers Gregg Rosenthal and Chris Wesseling on there 2017 Top 101 Free Agency list, “Jeffery could become the highest-paid receiver in football. No. 1 receivers with an uncanny ability to come down with 50-50 balls don’t become available often in their prime.”

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When it was first reported by NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport,  Alshon Jeffery was signing  a one-year contract for $14 million. On the surface this looked like an O.K deal, putting Jeffery as the 4th paid wide receiver in the league, just behind Tavon Austin. (Why would anyone make Tavon Austin the 3rd highest paid wide receiver?) But as time passed and contract details were made public, Alshon Jeffery’s contract is actually a 1 year, $9.5 million dollar contract with the Eagles, with $4.5 million in incentives.

Carson Wentz now has his elite, Pro Bowl wide receiver. Coming in at 6-4, 230 pounds, Alshon Jeffery encompasses many traits that should improve the offense immediately. His big frame should help Wentz in the red-zone, Alshon has big-play ability along the sideline and has excellent concentration on 50/50 balls.

If this doesn’t get Eagles fans excited, what will? JUST THROW IT UP CARSON WENTZ!

Jeffrey comes to the Philadelphia Eagles leaning on a familiar face, receivers coach Mike Groh. Groh coached Jeffrey during his best seasons in Chicago, from 2013-2015. When asked how Jeffery’s looked this off-season Groh stated,

"“I think the spring that he’s had is as good as he’s had since maybe 2013. Pleased with where he is physically, mentally I think he is in a good place. He’s coming in here and learning a new system and working on the chemistry with Carson Wentz and everything like that, but it’s been a good spring for him.”"

So how much of an upgrade is Alshon Jeffery compared to what the Eagles had at wide receiver last year? Here is a breakdown of Alshon Jeffery’s career averages, (minus his rookie season where he only started 6 games) up against the 2016 Eagles wide receiver core.

What may be most exciting is the fact that with similar receptions and targets Jeffery mas more than 240 receiving yards than Jordan Matthews. Jeffery also averages more than 14 first downs than Matthews, a stat that can keep drives going, lead to more points and/or better field position.

One key statistic that can really help a quarterback is Yards-After-The-Catch(YAC). This can turn an average quarterbacks stat line into a really good performance. Lets all just remember the Wentz scramble where he hits Sproles against Pittsburgh last season.

This 73 yard touchdown had a YAC of 53 yards. Yards after the catch benefits the offense and quarterback tremendously, turning short routes into long gains and also keeping the chains moving with a catch, a missed tackle and a first down.

Looking at Alshon Jeffery’s YAC stats from the past four seasons. Between 2013 and 2016, Alshon averaged 333 yards after the catch per season and 4.6 YAC per reception. Comparing the Eagles number one Wide Receiver last season and the Eagles best YAC receiver, Jordan Matthews, he finished with 256 yards after the catch and just 3.5 YAC per reception.

Expectations will be high for both Wentz and Jeffery this season. Bringing in Jeffery on a one year deal could pay huge dividends for not only the Philadelphia Eagles but Jeffrey himself. No doubt if Alshon stays healthy and puts up the numbers he has potential to in this offense he will be rewarded with a huge pay-day and the Eagles will have first rights on securing his services on a long-term deal.

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In the last 15 years Eagles fans haven’t watched many elite receivers line up in the Green and White. Weather it be Terrell Owens one season or the up and down career of Desean Jackson, the Eagles now have a star in the prime of his career. Should Jeffrey perform like the Eagles expect, the NFC East should be put on notice.