By Connor Thomas
Yesterday I broke down some of the options that the Eagles could bring in during free agency that could help improve their running back rotation. Unlike QB and RB though, the wide receiver spot is not a place where the birds are looking for depth. This is the first position we’ve gotten to where the Eagles could add another bona fide stud starting player in this free agency market, and many expect them to take a serious look at the top targets at wide out this offseason. Here are some guys that should be on their list:
Allen Robinson
Robinson is the most expensive WR available based on his 2021 cap hit ($17.8mil), but the Eagles are going to have a good chunk of change to spend this offseason and could realistically pay any of these wide outs. Robinson has solid size for an outside WR at 6’2”, 220lbs, and has led the league in receiving touchdowns once in his 8 year career (2015). He had a down year with Chicago this past season due to injuries and a rotation at quarterback, but in 2019 and 2020 he had 1147 yds/7 tds and 1250 yds/6 tds respectively. Keep in mind that he was putting up those numbers with Mitch Trubisky as his quarterback. Robinson absolutely has #1 WR upside, and he would take eyes off of DeVonta Smith as well. Robinson would be a great addition for the birds, even if he is expensive.
Chris Godwin
Tampa Bay has a number of high profile free agents this offseason, and Godwin could be the most sought after of all of them. There could be a mass exodus from the Bucs this year if Tom Brady does actually decide to retire, and that includes the uber-talented Godwin. He’s only turning 26 years old this offseason and has already had two 1,000+ yard receiving seasons, including a pro bowl year in 2019. He’s scored 29 touchdowns over 5 seasons, and has yet to be the main target in an offense. Godwin is not a gigantic possession wide receiver, but with his skill it doesn’t matter. The biggest issue is that he’s set to get PAID in free agency, even despite a season ending torn ACL this past year. The birds have to hope that the market sours on him due to that serious injury, otherwise it’ll be tough to outbid the rest of the league for Godwin.
AJ Green
Like most shopping trips, sometimes you have to check out the bargain bin in addition to the name brands. Well, AJ Green is certainly going to be more bargain bin this offseason. He’s 33 years old, which easily puts him on the back end of his career, but also puts him into a very affordable market for the birds. Green fills a need that Robinson and Godwin does not though: his size and catch radius could be hugely beneficial for Jalen Hurts. Green is 6’4”, 207lbs, and has long been known for being a giant target. He could be the next Alshon Jeffery (hopefully minus the locker room leaks) for this Eagles’ core. Last year in a pass happy Arizona offense he put up 848 yards and 3 scores, and that’s with DeAndre Hopkins and Christian Kirk also taking away targets. Green could be a sneaky good veteran addition for the birds.
Michael Gallup
I know I know, Cowboys make me sick too. That being said, Gallup might be too good of an option to pass up for the birds if they’re willing to take a risk to save some money. Gallup suffered a torn ACL that ended his 2021 season and probably cost him a significant amount of money in free agency, but for the Eagles that means that a risky health option could be a cheap pay off if Gallup recovers quickly and well. Much like AJ Green, Gallup was the 3rd option in the WR room in Dallas behind Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb, but he still has built a solid resume. 2019 saw him eclipse the 1000 receiving yard mark, and despite his slow drop in production, Gallup’s athleticism still popped when you watched Dallas play. He turns 26 next month, so he is still a young option, and he probably became a cheap one due to injury. It could be a great buy low opportunity for Philly.
Davante Adams
Here you go, the man you’ve all been waiting for. Do the Eagles have a legitimate chance to sign him? Well, that’s certainly debatable. Should they throw the absolute bag at him if he even looks in their direction? ABSOLUTELY. Adams is the best wide receiver in football right now, and with the perception that Aaron Rodgers will move on from Green Bay, many are assuming the talented 29 year old pass catcher will be on the move as well. It’s very possible (maybe even probable) that Adams follows Rodgers as a quasi-package deal, but that doesn’t mean the birds can’t sniff around a little bit. Adams is the type of offensive weapon that could revolutionize the way a team plays football on that side of the ball, and the Eagles, just like 31 other teams, should do everything they can to try and lure him to play for them.
