Posted February 20, 20232 yr The Eagles need to upgrade at wide receiver three The Philadelphia Eagles have the luxury of having two wide receiver number ones on their team. A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith both shined on the biggest stage. We know they are the future as the Eagles’ wide receivers. With that being said, another Eagles wide receiver was a major talking point during the Super Bowl, but for all the wrong reasons. With just over six minutes to go in the third quarter, Jalen Hurts fired a deep ball down the field not for Brown or Smith, but for Quez Watkins. The ball went right through the hands of Watkins and the Eagles had to settle for three points that drive. Now was this exact play why the Eagles lost the Super Bowl? Absolutely not, but in games of this magnitude, mistakes like this can not be made. After a strong year in 2021, Quez took a major step back this year. Obviously, with the addition of Brown, he was likely to see less work, but he had an extremely rough season. After having 647 receiving yards in 2021, Watkins only had 354 this year. A lot of factors go into play so you can’t just look at the numbers. Watkins has had some key drops in games this year, the Washington loss for example, and of course now in the Super Bowl. Watkins is now heading into a contract year. While the Eagles should not cut him, they should look to find a serviceable replacement for Watkins as the wide-out three. How should they go about that? They could look for a veteran in free agency that is more reliable or they could look to address the need in the draft. Now it has only been a week since the loss and the Eagles have a lot of other work to do re-signing key players at other positions. That being said, getting a serviceable replacement over Watkins needs to be in the off-season plans. Watkins will likely be back on the team next year and I respect him a lot for admitting he had a down year, but after losing the Super Bowl on a last-second field goal, Howie Roseman has to do everything in his power to get back to that game. Upgrading over Watkins now becomes a must. The emotions are still running high after that brutal loss, but free agency is almost here and it’s time to start revamping this team for another run next season. https://phlsportsnation.com/2023/02/18/the-eagles-need-to-upgrade-at-wide-receiver-three/
February 20, 20232 yr Any player willing to say they regressed and took a step back is a player that I'd at least curious to see how they respond the next year. Doesn't mean you don't upgrade if the opportunity presents itself, but I'd like to see how he changes.
February 20, 20232 yr 1 minute ago, eagle45 said: Any player willing to say they regressed and took a step back is a player that I'd at least curious to see how they respond the next year. Doesn't mean you don't upgrade if the opportunity presents itself, but I'd like to see how he changes. They have 3 top pass targets. I'd actually like to see them work in a RB who can catch more than worry about WR3. Though I'd draft a guy if the right guy fell after rd 1. Same thing I'd do at any position really
February 20, 20232 yr We do need a legit WR3...if Brown or Smith went down with an injury, that would be a significant hit. I certainly wouldn't complain if pick #30 or their 2nd rounder was used on a WR who profiles initially to be a good slot guy (unless we somehow find a way to upgrade via FA).
February 20, 20232 yr Of course we need a solid WR 3, but Watkins and Pascal are ok and we currently have Ward and Allen is a developmental guy as potential options. I wouldn’t take one before round 3, and only if a stud with either elite speed or size, fell to us.
February 21, 20232 yr I think there's a better idea than this. What you really want in my opinion is to get an RB who can play in the slot comfortably, someone fast. There's a couple reasons for this. One: Considering the NFL is likely to ban the push sneak, having a really fast RB that you can put in the backfield to be a toss threat effectively creates a Sneak-Pitch Option, and with all those bodies in the middle to stop the sneak, a home run threat really stresses the defense because they have to defend our sneak while also worrying about a Toss for a TD. Think someone in the same mold as Jerrick McKinnon. Two: If they are NOT someone who is your lead running back, it's very easy to use them in the slot in this way - that way, you have another good alternate option that gives insurance but doesn't really get in the way. Basically solves both problems in one player.
February 21, 20232 yr 11 hours ago, pgcd3 said: They have 3 top pass targets. I'd actually like to see them work in a RB who can catch more than worry about WR3. Though I'd draft a guy if the right guy fell after rd 1. Same thing I'd do at any position really If history has taught us anything, it's that really good RB's don't have to be marquee names when they get drafted. I have every reason to believe that the Eagles will use their first pick on a lineman - possibly OL to shore up the right side of the line. Watkins was drafted in the 6th, and I suspect that if the Eagles are targeting a WR3, it's either as a second tier FA or lower round draft pick
February 21, 20232 yr 10 hours ago, jsdarkstar said: Not with the # 10 pick they don't. I could see Howie packaging that #10 pick to snag a move up in the draft if the opportunity to land Jalen Carter or Will Anderson presented itself.
February 21, 20232 yr There’s only one ball to go around and we have Brown, Smith and Goedert. Another receiver is just going to take away targets from those guys. I agree, they need to upgrade the position but it’s not a huge priority.
February 22, 20232 yr I mean I don't disagree but priorities lie at other key positions. But yes drafting a very good slot WR or signing a relatively cheap but good option would be nice.
February 23, 20232 yr Author I used to have higher hopes that Watkins would continue to develop into a much better threat as a #3 but he clearly regressed this year (surprisingly since Hurts took a huge leap forward as a passer). During the latter half of this season I was hoping to see more Pascal and less Watkins. I would be open to bringing Pascal back at a team friendly deal. He’s nowhere near as explosive as Watkins but has surer hands and is much better at blocking. Throw a late round draft pick into the mix and we should be OK.
February 23, 20232 yr Watkins manning up and saying he regressed was actually amazing to hear. In fact this whole team didn't make excuses. This is all bc of the way Hurts is. I love it. We need a catching RB before we need a better #3. I would love if we were able to snag Gibbs in the 2nd. Might need to move down or move back in the 1st and collect an early 2nd.
February 24, 20232 yr On 2/22/2023 at 10:55 PM, Portyansky said: Watkins manning up and saying he regressed was actually amazing to hear. In fact this whole team didn't make excuses. This is all bc of the way Hurts is. I love it. We need a catching RB before we need a better #3. I would love if we were able to snag Gibbs in the 2nd. Might need to move down or move back in the 1st and collect an early 2nd. I think the team's classy post-SB remarks came from the owner and I also think the owner made it clear to the team that he didn't want any excuses if they lost, and it was the right thing to do if you ask me. If you see the video of Howie remarking on the field, he's pretty much clenching his teeth when he said both teams had to play on the same field.
February 28, 20232 yr On 2/20/2023 at 11:09 PM, Road to Victory said: There’s only one ball to go around and we have Brown, Smith and Goedert. Another receiver is just going to take away targets from those guys. I agree, they need to upgrade the position but it’s not a huge priority. You don’t need a stud at WR3 but getting one who is actually reliable is a priority. Quez was largely responsible for the Washington loss with his fumble, played a big role in two interceptions, dropped a big pass in the SB… for a guy with so few targets, he sure did a good job of making some huge game-changing mistakes.
February 28, 20232 yr 35 minutes ago, nipples said: You don’t need a stud at WR3 but getting one who is actually reliable is a priority. Quez was largely responsible for the Washington loss with his fumble, played a big role in two interceptions, dropped a big pass in the SB… for a guy with so few targets, he sure did a good job of making some huge game-changing mistakes. Quez sucks and we need an upgrade but not with a high pick. We just need a good role player, like a Jason Avant- type who knew his role and performed admirably.
February 28, 20232 yr 2 hours ago, Road to Victory said: Quez sucks and we need an upgrade but not with a high pick. We just need a good role player, like a Jason Avant- type who knew his role and performed admirably. Yeah I’m not saying with a high pick. But I do think a mid-round pick or free agent slot WR needs to be added.
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