Eagles' top 8 free agent WR options

[time2rock]

Eagles' top 8 free agent WR options

The Eagles have plenty of areas of the roster they need to address this offseason, but there is no denying that near the top of the list is the wide receiver position.

Even with DeVonta Smith showing last season that he is a special talent, the Eagles don’t have another option they can count on next to him. Quez Watkins is a nice, but inconsistent, player. Jalen Reagor might not be on the roster. J.J. Arcega-Whiteside is a special teams player.

While there are some solid options in the draft, the Eagles really need to go out and sign a veteran wide receiver to pair opposite Smith. The good news for the team is that could be an elite group of receivers waiting to be signed when free agency kicks off.

Armed with just under $22 million in cap space the Eagles have enough money to go out and sign one of the top free agent receivers on the market.

So who could be available — and how realistic are the options?

Here is a look at the upcoming free agent wide receiver class:

Davante Adams, WR, Green Bay Packers: The chances of Adams hitting the free agency market are slim — and the chances he comes to Philadelphia seem even slimmer. Adams will likely be franchise tagged before he is able to test the open market. The only chance Adams has of switching teams is if Aaron Rodgers forces his way out of Green Bay, and even then, the two are viewed as a package deal this offseason. In the rare chance he does become a free agent, and listens to offers from other teams, Adams could command a deal worth close to $18 million per season. The Eagles are able to get creative with how they structure deals, but even Howie Roseman might have trouble fitting Adams under the cap compared to what other teams might offer him.

Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Godwin is the best of what is a talented group of receivers coming off of major injuries. Godwin suffered an ACL/MCL injury towards the end of December this past season that required surgery. It is likely he will be ready for the start of next season, but the injury will certainly impact the kind of money and offers he gets. Godwin has shown these last three seasons he can be a No. 1 receiver, totaling 3,276 yards and 21 touchdowns in 40 games. It is possible he signs a one-year prove-it deal to try to cash in big once he shows he is fully recovered.

Mike Williams, WR, Los Angeles Chargers: Williams is the receiver to keep a very close eye on this offseason. The Chargers could re-sign Williams or place the franchise tag on him, but if they don’t, Williams should be one of the Eagles top targets. Williams is coming off of his best season in the NFL, finishing with 1,146 yards and 9 touchdowns on 76 catches. Standing 6-foot-4, Williams has the size to pair perfectly with Smith, while also have the speed to make plays down the field as he averaged 20.4 yards-per-catch in 2019. Add in the connection he has to Nick Sirianni during their time together with the Chargers and Williams is one receiver that is absolutely worth handing a big-money deal to if he hits free agency.

Allen Robinson, WR, Chicago Bears: Robinson has been on the minds of Eagles fans for years, going back to his desire to get out of Jacksonville back in 2017. Robinson has had some big seasons in Chicago despite getting below-average quarterback play, an issue he has dealt with pretty much his entire career. Robinson had a down 2021 season, playing in only 12 games and finishing with 410 yards and one touchdown. At this point in his career it is likely that quarterback play is going to be a top priority in where Robinson chooses to play. Will Robinson sign up to play with Jalen Hurts and an Eagles’ offense that prioritized the run in 202? It is possible, but of all the free agent receivers, Robinson’s desire for elite quarterback play could hurt the Eagles the most.

D.J. Chark, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars: Chark is an extremely interesting option for the Eagles if they don’t feel like breaking the bank on one of the top options in free agency. Chark has the size (6-foot-4) the Eagles would like in a No. 2 receiver while also being considered an elite athlete for the position. Chark totaled a combined 1,714 yards and 13 touchdowns during the 2019 and 2020 season, but suffered a fractured ankle just four games into the 2021 season. Chark would not provide the sure-thing the Eagles need opposite Smith, but he is already better than every other receiver they have besides Smith, and has big-time upside that could turn the likely modest contract the Eagles would have to give him into a bargain.

Michael Gallup, WR, Dallas Cowboys: Like Godwin and Chark, Gallup enters the free agency market coming off of a season-ending ACL injury in January. While he should be ready for the start of next season the timing of the injury is not great, as Gallup — like Godwin — should miss most of the offseason workouts and part of training camp. While the Buccaneers need Godwin back, the Cowboys don’t really need Gallup, making it more likely he will hit the free agency market. Although he isn’t a No. 1 type receiver, Gallup is a special player when healthy, and seems primed to sign a one-year, prove-it deal with another team.

Christian Kirk, WR, Arizona Cardinals: Kirk had his best season in the NFL last year, spending the majority of his time in the slot and making big plays after the catch. Kirk finished with 982 yards and five touchdowns on 77 catches, establishing himself as one of the better slot receivers in the NFL.. Kirk would obviously be an upgrade in the slot over Greg Ward, but he wouldn’t check off the Eagles’ real need at receiver — a dependable outside receiver opposite Smith. It would be surprising if the Eagles were serious suitors for Kirk, but considering how bad their current group of receivers are, he would still be worth signing if he doesn’t get big-time money.

JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers: Smith-Schuster is not the exciting name he was in past seasons, especially coming off of a shoulder injury that limited him to five games in 2021. Smith-Schuster has never been able to top his dominant 2018 season when he finished with 1,426 yards and seven touchdowns, and hasn’t topped 1,000 yards in any of the previous three seasons. Smith-Schuster is the biggest question mark on this list, but the Eagles have shown serious interest in the past, and might be willing to take a gamble that a healthy, motivated Smith-Schuster could prove to be a bargain signing.

https://www.audacy.com/94wip/sports/eagles/the-eagles-8-best-options-at-wide-receiver-in-free-agency

[UK_EaglesFan89]

I think you can take the first 3 off the list. Adams probably isn't going to leave. Godwin may buy he and Williams are going to cost a lot. I like Gallup but we don't have great history with Dallas players coming to Philly. I'm not big on slot WRs so Kirk and JuJu don't fill me with excitement. 

[Rob331]

I want Gallup - always good to hurt Dallas while improving too. Dallas not only has other receivers, they are currently over the cap and have to let their free agents walk. 

 

[EaglesAddict]

Since Adams is nothing but a pipe dream, my top choice would be Godwin.  I don't like that he's coming off a major injury, but if we assume he will return to full health, he's the best of the bunch sans Adams.

Williams would be my 2nd choice, then Robinson.  I'd be good with Chark or Juju as well.  I'd be less thrilled with Kirk and Gallup and even though they're "ok", I'd still feel the need to add more. 

If the Eagles are truly going full steam ahead with Hurts, I can see them spending good money on a WR in FA.  

 

[Outlaw]

The realistic option in here is Chark. 

[time2rock]

ESPN just regurgitating the same list everyone else is writing about.  What about Zay Jones as a possible option?