Receive or Defend: Making the Argument for Selecting Higgins or Henderson
With draft season among us and the NFL Scouting Combine next week, it’s only right that we discuss a few prospects and how they fit in Philadelphia.
In order to do so, we allowed the fans of Eagles Nation to decide which two prospects intrigue them the most at the wide receiver and cornerback position.
With the information provided by the survey, we determined that our prospects for this our debut “Receive or Defend” column. Our winners, Tee Higgins and C.J. Henderson, two of the top five prospects in the draft at their respective positions.
Both players were also voted on the first team of their all-conference unit so that certainly shows just how talented these two young men, the question is how effectively can their skills sets translate to what the Eagles like to do.
Photo:
Player: C.J. Henderson
Class: Junior
Position: Cornerback
College: Florida
Scouting Report:
– C.J. Henderson was the number one cornerback on a Florida defense that ranked ninth in the country. Florida deployed Henderson in a multitude of ways, showcasing his versatility on numerous occasions during the season, working from the outside, in the slot, and even blitzed here and there. Henderson has experience guarding many of the best wide receivers in the country due to playing in the SEC. During the season we had the opportunity to see Henderson matchup against the likes of Jamar Chase and Laviska Shenault. Often times in games like these, Florida would allow Henderson to shadow teams top targets.
A tall, slinky cornerback that measured at 6’1 during his time at Florida, Henderson’s frame and technique work hand to hand, his feet are quick and his hips are smooth in transition. Henderson also has enough long speed that often allows him to recover in coverage. In zone coverage, Henderson was really instinctive, sometimes to a fault putting himself out of position occasionally. On the film it seemed as if Henderson was rarely targeted, the only game that seemed to give him fits was the matchup against LSU. In this game Jamar Chase caught two touchdowns; both on Henderson. The first touchdown, a slant in the red zone after a defensive miscommunication and the second was more of Joe Brady scheming open receivers, than Chase flat out beating Henderson.
Henderson spend most of his time in off coverage, which allowed him to be susceptible quick breaking routes. However, Henderson does an elite job putting a foot in the ground and getting down hill to get to the ball carrier, weather this is on short passes or running play. The only flaw I found on Henderson while watching film came in the run game. First was his inability to consistently tackle players. Many times Henderson comes flying in like a heat seeking missile, while other times it looks as if Henderson purposely runs himself out of position; avoiding contact. The second flaw would be how once you gets a hand on Henderson, he struggles to get off blocks.
Fit
The Philadelphia Eagles obviously has a dire need at the cornerback position, if selected Henderson would be able to step in and make an instant impact. Many of his strengths are things that the Eagles either use frequently or what they need more of. Henderson has a great understanding of his role in zone coverages and is usually in good position to make a play when necessary based on his football IQ and aggressiveness. Jim Schwartz usually deploys his cornerbacks in off coverage, probably so they don’t get beat over the top something Henderson doesn’t usually have happen to him. But, either way Henderson should feel comfortable in the Cover 3/Cover 2 invert schemes the Eagles like to run.
In coverage, Henderson is everything Eagles fans have be asking for and maybe a little bit more. However, if the Eagles take Henderson at 21, Eagles fans must be willing to deal with the hiccups that may hamper Henderson as he continues to grow. Philly fans will love Henderson’s heart in run support but that does not negate the fact he must become a more routine tackler. The same can be said for getting off blocks when in pursuit of ball carriers. These little mishaps could become key reasons as to why Henderson can could stay off the field in key situations if no improvement is shown, but as of now his floor and more important his ceiling is something that should excite any defensive coordinator.
One thing that might sway Jim Schwartz away from Henderson is his lack of trash talking. We know Schwartz loves a confident cornerback (hello Jalen Mills) and that’s not to say Henderson isn’t confident however it’s not like he’s “dripping swag” if you know what I mean.
Photo:
Player: Tee Higgins
Class: Junior
Position: Wide Receiver
College: Clemson
Scouting Report:
– Coming into the season as the reigning College Football Playoff champions and with a top ten recruiting class, it’d be safe to assume that this Clemson team was loaded. In a wide receiver room that has had the likes of Justyn Ross and Hunter Renfrow, Tee Higgins was and still remains the top dog. Measuring at 6’4, Higgins is a towering target essentially made for the red zone. In the Clemson offense Higgins usually lined up as the x receiver. However there were more than a few instances where Clemson used him from the slot, most notably in 3×1 sets where Higgins was the receiver closest to the quarterback. The ball seems to always look for Higgins. It could be a product of Clemson’s game planning or just because he’s always open. Seriously, if you watch the tape with the exception of his matchup against Jeffery Okudah, Higgins would have at least 5 yards between he and the defender. Especially at the top of his routes.
Higgins has a sudden release at the line of scrimmage that allows him to gain a step on his defenders. Good defenders will be able to get in his hip pocket on deeper routes but no worries, his size and inept ability to meet the ball at its highest point is second to none in this class. Has good hands at the catch point and a quarterbacks best friend. His catch radius generally helps bail quarterbacks out when a throw is inaccurate. It seemed as if when in trouble Trevor Lawrence said “if all else fails throw it to Tee.” While Higgins isn’t a burner he has enough speed to keep defenders honest. He is much better generating his speed when having chance to develop his stride, usually present on post and fly routes. However, Higgins tends to show a bit of stiffness when running breaking routes.
With that being said, Higgins doesn’t have a full route tree. Once again, this could be a product of his role in the Clemson offense, or it could be Dabo Swinney knowing exactly what Higgins can and cannot do. Either way, Higgins has to show he is more than a four route receiver. You would think a defensive back is Tee Higgins’ main nemesis and to an extent it is, when he has to block them. This aspect of Higgins game is nothing to get excited about, showed little to nothing in terms of blocking on film, seem to show maximum effort on rushing plays. Even in instances where he was the a decoy in the mold of the screen receiver, Higgins seemed lazy knowing the ball didn’t have a chance at coming his way. While Higgins can produce a few yard after the catch, he is only an occasional player in terms explosive yards after catch plays.
Fit
Tee Higgins is the perfect receiver for Carson Wentz. Well, that if you were to trade or release Alshon Jeffery and are totally convinced J.J. Arcega-Whiteside’s rookie season wasn’t an anomaly. Higgins brings a lot of the same traits to the plate as the other two aforementioned players.
While many will scoff at Higgins due to the teams need for an elite level speed option, he does offer an element of a down the field threat. At least a better prospect than Arcega-Whiteside and Jeffery do at the position. Higgins ball skills also are intriguing based on Wentz’ spotty accuracy at times.
With the right coaching Higgins can become a number one receiver in this league and can be really good at it for a long time. However, if he becomes an Eagle this all falls on how the team is able to incorporate Higgins in the offense going forward. Something Philadelphia has shown an inability to do over recent years. This is where the acquisition of Aaron Moorehead becomes important.
With all of the talk surrounding him heading into camp, Moorehead has to show he can translate the success he saw at the collegiate ranks to the NFL.
Higgins has all of the tools and more to succeed in Philadelphia’s offense, however this is only is the Eagles can mold him into the number one receiver he is meant to be.
Featured Image: Philadelphiaeagles.com
Discover more from Philadelphia Sports Nation
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Categorized:Eagles