Philadelphia Eagles: New look receiving corp will have to step up
With a multitude of injuries, the Philadelphia Eagles receiving core looks completely different. With the NFC East up for grabs, the new players will have to step up.
The Philadelphia Eagles escaped the game against the New York Giants by the skin of their teeth. Now with Mack Hollins released and Nelson Agholor and Alshon Jeffery injured the Eagles will look to Greg Ward Jr. and rookie receiver JJ Arcega-Whiteside.
The wide receiver position was already lacking in production and now they are down to their fourth and fifth receivers.
There has been a lack of big plays coming from the receiver position. They are 23rd in 40 yard plus receiving plays with just five. They are 26th in the longest receiving play with a 53-yard play.
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Things will not get better as now they are lacking a deep threat and the receivers they have are not the fastest players that will be able to create separation deep.
While this is true Arcega-Whiteside and Ward still have the talent to make some plays though.
Coming into the season Arcega-Whitside’s ability was what people raved about. He can jump and muscle cornerbacks for passes over the top. He is a receiver with 4.49 speed, so he can run with his size. He is 6-foot-3 so he is bigger than most cornerbacks which will give Carson Wentz a big target to throw to.
He had two catches for 29 yards in the game against the Giants. He caught a 22-yard throw in which he was able to beat a cornerback at the line and run past him for a spectacular catch.
He will be a target down the field and in goal-line situations. He was drafted in the second round in the draft this season so the Eagles are high on him. He should have the talent to be able to do some damage.
So far he only has eight receptions for 130 yards with one touchdown. He averages 16.3 yards per catch though, which means he will be the one deep threat that Wentz can rely on.
Ward Jr. has been able to come on recently for the Eagles. He was able to get a starting role in the Giants game when he showed the ability to get open for a stagnant offense.
After a crushing loss to the Miami Dolphins, Mack Hollins was released because of his continued lack of production. Ward has been able to withstand the test of time after he made the team in the preseason by having great performances.
The six catch 40-yard game against the Seattle Seahawks introduced him to the NFL. In college, Ward was a quarterback at Houston. He ran a high 4.4 at Houston’s pro day.
He is a receiver that’s small at 5-11 and 190 pounds but he can move the chains for you. In the Giants game, he had four catches for 34 yards. He has proved to be productive when given a chance.
These two receivers are completely different in terms of stature but they have talent. They are not the fastest receivers but they will have to do for the ailing Eagles who are trying to win the NFC East.
Zach Ertz has and will be the main receiver along with Dallas Goedert. While the Eagles are lacking at the receiver position they have one of the best tight end tandems.
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With Jeffery gone for the season and Agholor on the mend, these two new Philadelphia Eagles receivers will have to step up for the rest of the year.