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5 Eagles Who Still Need to Prove Themselves After Shaky Start to 2023

By Jason Schandl

Sep 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Quez Watkins (16) between plays during the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Quez Watkins (16) between plays during the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports /
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We can’t straight-up complain about a 2-0 start. We’d rather be 2-0 than have any other record right now. But that doesn’t mean Eagles fans need to be satisfied with what the team has shown us through those first two wins.

The Philadelphia Eagles came into the 2023 season with a lot to prove. We needed to prove we’re still clearly ahead of the Cowboys in the NFC East. We needed to prove we’re still the rightful NFC Champions. We needed to prove we’re capable of not only getting back to the Super Bowl in February, but of winning it too.

Some Eagles have absolutely proven themselves already this season. Jalen Carter is for real. Jordan Davis’ breakout is here. D’Andre Swift is an RB1.

But these five Eagles still have a lot of work to do to prove themselves.

Eagles Rumors: Players Who Still Need to Prove Themselves

1. Quez Watkins

It’s not like we’ve been counting on Quez Watkins to bloom into a WR1 or anything, but with the Eagles typically going light at WR (there are four on the 53-man roster right now), what Watkins needs to do is prove himself to simply keep his roster spot.

His sophomore breakout in 2021 (43 receptions, 647 yards) has done a lot to keep him in Philly, but he was seriously inefficient in 2022, and the Eagles brought in lots of WR competition over the offseason.

Watkins did end up making the roster, but he’s far from guaranteed a spot for the rest of the season, let alone heading into 2023.

So far Watkins has seen a pretty fair amount of playing time, being on the field for 44% of the Eagles’ offensive snaps and running 35 routes.

He hasn’t had any impact when he’s out there running routes though, only earning 2 targets and gaining 17 yards.

Jalen Hurts hasn’t necessarily been finding the open receivers consistently this season, but that’s not what’s holding Watkins back. He’s simply not getting open.

Watkins is on the final year of his contract, and the Eagles will have no issues moving on from him early if he doesn’t prove he deserves this roster spot.

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