Contrary to the end of last year, there is a very crowded WR room in Philadelphia. I will be reviewing each receiver in the room. While giving depth chart predictions on the starters, practice squad additions, and releases.
JJ Arcega-Whiteside
After seeing more action towards the end of the 2019 campaign due to other receivers getting hurt, J.J. Arcega-Whiteside was the only rookie WR on the team who got a lot of playing time. Putting up 169 yards on 10 receptions and 1 touchdown in 16 games, 5 of which he started. J.J. is looking at a more active season in 2020. The former Stanford Cardinal will most likely see more playing time this year due to being in an injury-prone group. Being 6’2 gives him an advantage over other receivers and Carson Wentz will get another big body receiver.
DeSean Jackson
DeSean Jackson only played three games in his return to Philly last season and is hoping for a 2020 bounce-back season. In three games, Jackson put up 9 receptions for 159 yards and two touchdowns. If he can put up that production in just three games, imagine what he can do in 16 games. DJax is most likely going to be WR1 and will be a mentor to the young receivers on the roster (pretty much all of them.) If Jackson stays healthy he will be a threat just like he was when he was during his early years with the Eagles. Speed kills and Jackson has that even in his 13th year.
Greg Ward
Personally, I really like Greg Ward because he came out of nowhere to be a contributor for Philly late in the season. Another rookie who had to play a lot of snaps last year due to lack of depth, and he showed out. Putting up 28 catches for 254 yards and a touchdown in 7 games, 3 of those games he started. Per CBS Sports, Eagles head coach Doug Pederson said he expects “really big things” from Ward. At 5’11, Ward is small enough to work the slot this year but also tall enough to run out routes or slants from the outside.
Manasseh Bailey
Manasseh Bailey is flying way under the radar as an undrafted free agent from Morgan State. In 4 years with Morgan State, he recorded 117 receptions for 2079 yards and 20 touchdowns. I can take a guess that they signed him for special teams and will be given a chance to be a kick/punt returner. His return stats are 3 punt returns for 42 yards and a touchdown. For kickoffs, he has fielded 17 returns for 236 yards and no touchdowns.
Deontay Burnett
Deontay Burnett bounced around the league until finding a home in Philly late 2019. Burnett has only played one game for the Eagles and only 6 games in his entire career. Last year he caught just 2 passes for 48 yards. Burnett is a long-shot to crack the opening day roster because of how many receivers there are. But he is a guy I see making a valuable impact on the special teams unit. Watch him throughout training camp to put up a fight to stay on this roster.
Alshon Jeffery
Alshon Jeffery has played 16 games in just 3 of his 7 seasons. Will this be the year he stays healthy and becomes WR1? Jeffery put up 43 receptions for 490 yards and 4 touchdowns in 10 games last year. Jeffery has some of the best hands in the NFL but the worst injury luck. If Jeffery can stay healthy as he did in 2017 when the Eagles won the Super Bowl, then their WR depth stays strong. If not, guys like Greg Ward and JJ Arcega-Whiteside will have to step up as they did last year. As long as Jeffery and Desean Jackson can stay healthy the Eagles will be a threat in the NFC.
Robert Davis
Playing with the Redskins and Eagles and three games per team, Robert Davis is hoping to play all 16 with one team this year. Davis put up little production during his time with each team combining for 2 catches and 17 yards. Standing at 6’3 Davis is the same height as Alshon Jeffery. Height for the Eagles is important because they have some undersized receivers in the skill positions. Davis will be one of 5 receivers that crack 6 foot and could be an interesting development if he can grow as a player. Davis will more likely end up as either a special teamer or be on the practice squad.
Jalen Reagor
Rookie receiver Jalen Reagor is going to be a big addition to this offense this year. Reagor played 3 seasons at TCU and recorded 148 receptions for 2,248 yards and 22 touchdowns. Reagor will definitely make the roster and like a lot of rookie WRs might have a tough time adjusting to the league. But the skill is there, Reagor could move to the number two spot on the depth chart by the end of the season. If you watched him at TCU then you have to know he is very fast. Eagle fans could be seeing Reagor on kickoff or punt returns to start out which could eliminate any need for Robert Davis or Deontay Burnett.
John Hightower
John Hightower did not play college football for the first two years of college, which shows you how far he has come to get to the NFL. In his two years of playing, he recorded 82 catches for 1,447 yards and 14 touchdowns. According to the Draft Network, Hightower has amazing speed but not so amazing ball skills, which sets him up for some different possibilities within the Eagles. He can be a factor in the quick passing game (slants, crossers, out routes). He could just be a returner, and be among the many potential candidates to take kicks back. Finally, Hightower could just play on kickoffs and punts, as he would have the speed to get down the field fast and make tackles.
Quez Watkins
Quez Watkins is very, very fast. Will he be fast enough to make the roster? Watkins played three seasons with Southern Mississippi, in those three seasons he racked up 159 receptions for 2,404 yards and 17 touchdowns. The 6th round draft pick will most likely battle with John Hightower for the returner spot after Marquise Goodwin opted out of the season.
WR Depth Chart Predictions
- WR1-DeSean Jackson
- WR2- Alshon Jeffery
- WR3- Jalen Reagor (R)
- WR4- J.J. Arcega-Whiteside
- WR5- Greg Ward
- WR6/Special Teams- Quez Watkins (R)
Practice Squad
- Deontay Burnett
- Manasseh Bailey (R)
Cut
- Robert Davis
- John Hightower (R)
