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

3. Olamide Zaccheaus

This is going to sound a lot like what I said for Quez Watkins, and maybe that’s part of why Jalen Hurts has struggled.

AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith are obviously the top two wideouts in Philly, and they’re going to take a lot of the defense’s attention. That’s why it’s up to Watkins and Olamide Zaccheaus to keep secondaries honest by posing a legitmate threat as the WR3.

We signed Zaccheaus in free agency to compete for that role, but his 1-year, sub-$2 million contract makes it clear that he’s not promised anything in Philly.

So far he’s been the clear WR4 behind Watkins, but has still managed to see the field on 29% of the Eagles’ offensive snaps.

He’s done even less with his limited opportunity than Watkins though.

Zaccheaus has run 22 routes so far this season (7 in Week 1 then 15 in Week 2) and has yet to earn a single target. We can’t make any comments about his production or efficiency because he hasn’t even done enough to have the ball thrown to him.

And if you have any doubts about whether that’s his fault, consider that Pro Football Focus has given him an offensive grade of 47.3 on the year. He hasn’t played enough snaps to qualify for the leaderboard, but if he had that would be tied for 136th among the 142 ranked wideouts in the NFL this season.

Zaccheaus has been a straight-up dud, and if he doesn’t prove himself quickly he’s going to end up being replaced by a younger wideout with more upside. Maybe someone like Joseph Ngata off the practice squad.