NFL
By: Mark Wilson
The Philadelphia Eagles are treading water heading into the 2022 NFL campaign. While they did manage to sneak into the playoffs last season, they will need to solidify an important position if they are to be annual players for the next few years. The defense received an upgrade this offseason with the addition of LB Haason Riddick but it’s the offense where Howie Roseman must make his bones.
If Jalen Hurts is to be the Eagles’ future at QB, then they can no longer continue to ride the guys they did last season. For starters, the passing game ranked 32nd in attempts, 25th in yards, and 25th in touchdowns. Hurts is not Aaron Rodgers but he does need weapons.
Towards the end of the season, Hurts’ No. 1 playmaker was rookie wideout, DeVonta Smith. While Smith was solid in his rookie year, he’s still learning the NFL game. What the Eagles lacked was a complimentary player on the opposite side. The Eagles are a young team on offense but a veteran presence is needed. Not just for Smith to learn from but for the continued growth of Hurts.
The Eagles are armed with 10 picks in the 2022 NFL Draft and taking a receiver this year seems likey but that’s not the route they should go. A veteran presence is needed not another young playmaker. The Eagles signed WR Zach Pascal from the Indianapolis Colts but is he the answer they need next to Smith?
Over his 4-year career, Pascal has caught 150 passes for 1888 yards and 15 touchdowns. Pascal averages 12.6 yards per catch which will place him behind all Eagles receivers including TE Dallas Goedert. The only receiver on the Eagles with a lower YPC is Jalen Reagor who many expect to be traded before the season starts. So, while Pascal did come at a discounted price, he is no real upgrade at the position.
The WR free-agent pool was not that loaded but there are still some available players left they could go after. Julio Jones, Jarvis Landry, T.Y. Hilton, and Cole Beasley are still roaming the unemployment line in search of a job. Neither player will come at a hefty price. What the Eagles need is a reliable threat who can make the tough catches and take double teams away from Smith.
Howie Roseman is a master of the salary cap but it’s time he makes his bones in the talent selection. If the front office is not truly sold on Hurts as their future, then why not give him the necessary tools needed to see if he can become that? This is where the Eagles have always faltered. Dating back to Donavan McNabb, the Eagles never truly had a true threat besides Terrell Owens and then DeSean Jackson.
Smith can be that guy but he does need help. Despite the success of players such as Tyreke Hill, Devante Adams, and Justin Jeffers, each receiver had help on the opposite side. Quez Watkins can be a solid player but is he ready to take over the role as No. 2? This is why having a veteran presence such as Hilton, Jones, or Landry is so important. They can mentor the younger receivers while also providing a security blanket for Jalen Hurts.
