It is no secret the 2020 draft class is filled with wide recievers.
Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III, and CeeDee Lamb are three that instantly come to mind. This year’s NFL combine showed that there are more than just three wide receivers that could have a significant impact on a team once they are drafted.
It is clear that the Eagles are in need of wide receivers.
This year’s draft is the perfect place for the Eagles to find one or two wide receivers that would be able to produce on cheap contracts over a multiple-year stretch.
Chase Claypool // Notre Dame
The thought of passing up on D.K Metcalf will continue to haunt the Eagles’ front office for a long time. Letting Chase Claypool slide could warrant the same effect.
At 6-foot-4, 238 pounds, Claypool is a big and physical wide receiver. What is even more impressive is the speed and explosiveness that comes along with his size.
At the combine, Claypool ran a 4.42 in the 40-yard dash, had a vertical jump of 40.5 inches and benched 225 pounds 19 times. His results are similar to that of D.K. Metcalf and Calvin Johnson, both bigger wide receivers who could beat teams with their size or speed.
Claypool’s production at Notre Dame rose every year over his four-year stint with the Fighting Irish. In his senior season, Claypool became the guy and hauled in 1,037 yards with 13 touchdowns.
Since his combine performance, his draft stock has soared. With the number of wide receivers that are just as talented, Claypool could slip into the second and possibly even the third round. If this were to happen the Eagles would do themselves and the fans of Philadelphia a favor by drafting him.
K.J. Hamler // Penn State
In this upcoming draft, when mentioning a speedy wide receiver to an Eagles fan the first name that will come to mind is Henry Ruggs III. However, K.J. Hamler might be the next best thing.
Hamler is known for his speed and uses that to his advantage in his route running. He is able to create separation with defenders and would be a perfect fit to be a deep ball threat for Carson Wentz.
In his two seasons at Penn State, Hamler had 1,658 receiving yards for 13 touchdowns. Hamler is versatile in special teams and his explosiveness makes him a great fit as a punt and a kick returner.
Drafting Hamler would give the Eagles another deep threat behind Desean Jackson and allow Hamler to learn from one of the best deep ball specialists in the NFL. Hamler would also play alongside former college teammate Miles Sanders. There is definitely interest at least on the side of Hamler as he is quoted saying he hopes Sanders, “put in a good word,” per NBC Sports Philadelphia.
Due to Hamler’s 5-foot-9, 178-pound frame and his injury history, it is hard to see him getting drafted on day one. However, his elusiveness and playmaking ability will surely pencil him in on day two of the draft. The Eagles would most likely have to use a second or third-round pick in order to get their hands on Hamlet.
Jalen Reagor // TCU
Reagor might not have the size of Chase Claypool or the speed of K.J. Hamler, but his overall game is what makes him turn heads.
In three years at TCU, Reagor had 2,248 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns. As a sophomore, he hauled in 72 receptions, 1,061 yards, and nine touchdowns.
On tape, Reagor’s ability to make plays after the catch is what makes him an interesting prospect in this upcoming draft. Reagor is shifty and has the ability to either make defenders miss or run by them with the ball in his hands.
Similar to Hamler, Reagor’s ability to make plays with the ball in his hands can translate in the return game. In 2019, Reagor averaged just under 21 yards per return on punts.
A good comparison to a recent player to suit up for the Eagles is the 2017-2018 version of Nelson Agholor. That year, Agholor was never a true deep threat, but he had the ability to make plays with the ball in his hand after the catch. Reagor has a lot of those same characteristics as Agholor. Let’s just hope he can catch a ball.
Reagor is either a day one or day two selection. Look for Reagor to be an option for the Eagles if Jeudy, Lamb, Ruggs and Justin Jefferson are off the board in the first round.
Laviska Shenault Jr. // Colorado
The Colorado product is the one player on this list who fits into the category of boom or bust.
In his time at Colorado, Shenault had 149 receptions, for 1,943 yards and 10 touchdowns. This included a sophomore season where he had 1,011 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
Shenault is a dynamic player, who can play both on the outside and move down into the slot position. His ability to play all three positions allows him to be able to play at all three levels in the passing game.
Shenault is able to play the jump ball well and has hands that enable him to catch anything in the range of his almost 32-inch arms.
There are a few issues with Shenault that will make him drop in the draft. The first is his production this past season dropped off significantly when comparing his stats from his sophomore year. As a junior, Shenault had 56 receptions for 764 yards and four touchdowns.
What is also concerning is his history with injuries. In his three years at Colorado, Shenault never played a full season. Shenault is also currently set to undergo surgery for a core muscle injury, similar to that of Desean Jackson.
Shenault dropping on the board might go in favor of the Eagles. The Eagles could use a third-round to fifth-round pick on Shenault and still have the ability to draft another receiver in the earlier rounds of the draft.
Shenault is the biggest reach out of the four receivers on this list, however, if the Eagles selected him in the right spot, it would become a low risk and high reward chance for the Eagles.
FEATURED IMAGE: Charlie Neibergall/AP Photo
