The Philadelphia Eagles need talent at the wide receiver position in the worst way.
Outside of certified star-in-the-making DeVonta Smith, the 10th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, and a really intriguing speedy slot/flanker in 2019 sixth-round pick Quez Watkins, the Eagles’ wide receiver depth chart is nothing but question marks, as evidenced by the reception distribution last season.
Realistically, the best way for the Eagles to address this issue would be to sign a veteran receiver, specifically a big-bodied X receiver, who has proven experience playing at a high-level in the NFL, a player like Allen Robinson for example, but even if such a player is secured, that doesn’t mean the team couldn’t still secure another receiver in the first round for this, the third-straight season.
Assuming the pick isn’t traded to the Atlanta Falcons for Calvin Ridley, an intriguing, slightly under-the-radar name to keep an eye on is Treylon Burks, the 6-foot-3, 225-pound receiver who called the University of Arkansas home for the past three seasons.
Now Burks didn’t go to Ohio State, Alabama, or USC like many of the other top targets in this year’s class, but what he lacked in collegiate pedigree and widespread name recognition, he more than made up for with effort, on-field production, and size, oh so much size.
Are you looking for a 50-50 ball specialist down the sidelines? Burks can fit that bill. How about a big target across the middle of the field who splits the difference between a wide receiver and tight end? Burks can do that too. Heck, Burks even has a good bit of shake and bake to his screen game, where he can comically juke past would-be defenders like Joel Embiid against, well, against anyone really.
Even if the Eagles land a legit X receiver in free agency, that doesn’t mean a player like Burks should be off the board. If anything, the presence of another professional pass-catcher could help his transition from college to the pros, as it would alleviate any need to force him onto the field before he is ready.
After watching a few too many receivers have their careers derailed by being forced onto the field before they are ready, taking the long game with a receiver would be a welcomed change.
So what do to think? Do you like last week’s “class” better or did this one have some merits as well? Well, with the draft still months away, there will be plenty of room to try again over and over again until the Philadelphia Eagles actually go on the clock.