Eagles Looking to Make a Splash at WR
(973espn.com) - The Eagles understand just how bad the receiver position was for them in 2016 and are looking to completely revamp the position, an NFL source confirmed to 973espn.com.
The plan is to add two difference makers at the position, one with size on the outside to complement a potential speed threat like Brandin Cooks, the accomplished New Orleans receiver expected to be on the move in coming days.
Philadelphia has been linked to just about every WR set to hit the open market on Thursday including Alshon Jeffery, DeSean Jackson, Kenny Stills, Kenny Britt, Terrelle Pryor and Kenny Stills as well as Cooks despite having very little cap space.
That means Eagles executive vice president of football operations Howie Roseman will have to be very inventive to get this done, be in by trading or releasing players to open up cap space.
Veterans in danger of being moved or released soon include defensive end Connor Barwin, linebacker Mychal Kendricks, backup quarterback Chase Daniel, center Jason Kelce, left guard Allen Barbre and even wide receiver Jordan Matthews, who would become much less important to the team if a WR1 and WR2 were added.
The top option for the Eagles, according to the source, would be pairing Cooks and Britt but others with more ammunition (New England and Tennessee) are also pushing to add the 23-year-old Cooks.
From there pairing Stills or a potential draftee like Washington’s John Ross at the speed threat with Britt would be discussed.
Jeffrey and Pryor would be options to add size as well but are expected to be out of Philadelphia’s price range with a separate NFL source telling 973espn.com that San Francisco may strike quickly with Jeffery, the perceived top wideout in free agency.
-John McMullen covers the Eagles and the NFL for 973espn.com. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen