Meet and Greet: The Eagles’ New-Look Receiving Core
This has no doubt been a frustrating season for the Eagles’ receiving core that has featured numerous issues from critical dropped passes to injuries.
There has been no consistency with how they have been performing except for the fact that it has been unpredictable.
The receiving core has been going through many changes that have included Desean Jackson (IR), Alshon Jeffery (out for the season), Nelson Agholor (questionable with a knee injury), Jordan Matthews (released), and Mack Hollins (released). This has left the Eagles in an awkward situation for this Sunday’s game where if they don’t promote any of their practice squad receivers, they might be left with two receivers, three tight ends, and 40-year-old Josh McCown if needed.
Jeffery’s injury in the win against the Giants knocked him out of the season and Agholor’s status for the game this Sunday against Washington is still up in the air, but if he is not able to go.
Let’s examine who could be playing receiver for the Eagles on Sunday and get to know the new receiving core who for potentially the rest of the season.
Greg Ward Jr.
Ward Jr. has been a fascinating case as he has made an impact on the offense since his first appearance against the Seahawks. He alone had six catches and was able to convert on a few third downs with short passes coming from Carson Wentz. He has blazing speed which the Eagles have been taking advantage of by having him return punts. He’s recorded 11 catches for 79 yards in three games so expect him to have a bigger role in the offense and will be one of the two starting outside receivers.
Ward Jr. previously played in the AAF for the San Antonio Commanders before being signed by the Eagles as he recorded 22 catches for 214 yards and returned at 79-yard punt return for a touchdown in 8 games before the league folded.
J.J. Arcega-Whiteside
Taken in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Arcega-Whiteside was expected to have a bigger role in the offense, but that hasn’t happened. He didn’t have a catch in seven games this year and the most catches he’s had in a game this season was two. Monday night’s game against the Giants though was a breakthrough for him as he made a big-time, over the shoulder 22-yard catch on third and four in the fourth quarter that led to a game-tying touchdown to force overtime.
He’s recorded 11 catches for 130 yards and one touchdown. Eagle fans have been waiting for him to step up and live up to the second-round status. These last three games could determine how the Eagles use him in the future and if he will be included in their future plans.
Josh Perkins
Technically he’s a tight end, but they had him listed as a receiver/tight end and he was one of their most effective receivers on the field on Monday night. He finished the game with five receptions for 37 yards. Perkins has previous NFL experience as he played two seasons with the Falcons that includes him catching a 25-yard touchdown from Matt Ryan. He did play for the Eagles last season as well as he recorded five catches for 67 yards in nine games.
He showed to have sure hands despite not obviously having the speed that Ward Jr. has. I can see him continuing being a reliable receiver in the slot to make those critical third-down conversations. Expect to see him more at the receiver position should Agholor still be out this Sunday.
Josh McCown
This may seem like a joke, but this almost became a reality on Monday. He doesn’t exactly make the worst option at receiver. A quarterback’s job is to know what route every receiver runs and his football IQ is high so that wouldn’t be an issue.
Despite being 40-years-old, he is deceptively athletic and did play a little receiver for the Lions in one game. He’s not a bad option to have if you need an emergency receiver to hop in for a few plays. This could also be where Doug Pederson takes advantage and create some trick plays for McCown at the receiver position.
Practice Squad Receivers
Marken Michel
Marken Michel is the older brother of Patriots running back Sony Michel. He played in the CFL for two seasons where he saw success after being nominated for CFL West Division Rookie of the Year. He hasn’t seen any playing time in the regular season so far but could be called up from practice squad if they don’t feel they have had enough depth at receiver.
Marcus Green
Marcus Green has been on the practice squad since September and can be used in several different ways. He was successful in college with Louisiana-Monroe where he is top three in career receptions, yards, and touchdowns. He was also a deadly return specialist as he leads the nation in kickoff return average and kickoff return touchdowns in his junior year. Great speed to him and could be another Ward Jr. should another injury occur.
Robert Davis
Robert Davis was another receiver that had a successful college career at Georgia State as he was top two in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. Davis is second behind Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton in career receiving yards in the Sun Belt.
He’s only recorded one catch in the NFL for Washington as he played for them from 2017 until October of this year. Davis is the tallest of the practice squad receivers so if they need a red zone threat, he will be the guy they will call on.
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