Free agency: 5 second-tier WRs the Eagles should target next offseason

The wide receiver position has been a point of emphasis for the Eagles in the last two drafts.
They selected Jalen Reagor out of TCU with the #21 overall pick in 2020 and took the Heisman winner DeVonta Smith with the #10 overall pick in last year’s draft.
Smitty has been exactly what he was touted to be coming out of Alabama — a highly-educated technician who is already giving top corners fits off the line of scrimmage.
Marshon Lattimore can’t hang. 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/5wKmk54WAp
— Victor Williams (@ThePhillyPod) November 22, 2021
You can’t say the same for Reagor though, who has struggled to find his footing since coming into the league. It doesn’t help that there will always be the constant comparisons to rising star Justin Jefferson — who was selected immediately after him.
The tunnel screens drawn up for Reagor with no blocking whatsoever haven’t done him much favors either.
After Sunday’s game, Nick Sirianni took blame for being too conservative on offense and allowing the Saints to climb back into the game.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) November 24, 2021
Asked about what he might’ve done differently, Sirianni said he didn’t like his call of a screen pass to Jalen Reagor. #Eagles
While we here at The Liberty Line don’t believe that it’s time to give up on Reagor just yet, the Eagles would be wise to look into some WR2 options in free agency next year.
Jalen Hurts is starting to show actual progression at QB. Having a sure-handed, veteran receiver to complement Smith will help him develop as a passer — granted Hurts is afforded another year as the starting quarterback.
The Eagles are slated to have around $34M in cap space next season. While they’ll likely be out of the conversation for top free agents Allen Robinson, Chris Godwin and Davante Adams — there should still be some decent players available.
Here are five second-tier receivers the Eagles should target in free agency next offseason:
Christian Kirk, UFA
At just 24 years old, Kirk has been an integral part of a very talented receiving corps in Arizona. On pace to have a career season, Kirk is currently leading his team in receiving with 49 catches for 628 yards and 4 TDs through 11 games — all while being the third option behind DeAndre Hopkins and AJ Green.
His ability to consistently beat man coverage has made Kirk a reliable target in one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL.
CHRISTIAN KIRK MY WORD 😳 @ckirk @AZCardinals
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) August 14, 2021
📺: #DALvsAZ on @NFLNetwork (or check local listings) pic.twitter.com/YZMbQ8RM63
Emmanuel Sanders, UFA
Sanders was a guy I wanted the Eagles to sign last offseason. They should have another chance at him in 2022. Turning 35 years of age in March, Sanders is probably a bit older than a young team would like — but you can’t ignore his production.
After catching over 60 passes for 700+ yards with the Saints last season, Sanders has already made an impact in Buffalo opposite Stefon Diggs:
- 33 receptions
- 531 yards
- 16.1 yards/reception (career-high)
- 4 TDs
- 26 first downs
If he has another year in him, the Eagles could do far worse than provide Jalen Hurts with a 12-year veteran pass-catcher.
What a catch by Emmanuel Sanders
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 26, 2021
Sheesh 😳
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/qQPGm6PjC1
>> Read More: Playoff Picture: How the Eagles can win the NFC East
Mike Williams, UFA
The Eagles haven’t had a dependable possession receiver since the healthy Alshon Jeffery days. JJ Arcega-Whiteside — who basically saved the season on Sunday — was drafted in 2019 to be that big-body target. Unfortunately, that has yet to come to fruition.
Williams has seemingly conquered his injury-riddled past as he’s in the midst of a breakout year for the Chargers — it’s honestly hard to imagine the team not extending him. He’s found the endzone seven times already and is posting a career-high 70 yards per game this season.
If the Chargers let him walk, a reunion with former offensive coordinator Shane Steichen could be in the cards for Williams.
MIKE WILLIAMS BOMBS AWAY
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) November 22, 2021
THIS GAME 🤯 pic.twitter.com/YnWAZjoS2R
Michael Gallup, UFA
The history of former Cowboys not working out in midnight green is well documented. DeMarco Murray, Orlando Scandrick, Miles Austin — the list goes on. I would make an exception for Gallup.
Dallas handed Amari Cooper a 5-year, $100M deal last year and talented wideout CeeDee Lamb is already a star in the league. The Cowboys will more than likely hold on to Cedrick Wilson — who is having a career year himself — as a cheaper WR3 in 2022.
Gallup is one of many free agents set to hit the open market for Dallas this upcoming offseason:
- Keanu Neal
- Leighton Vander Esch
- Connor Williams
- Damontae Kazee
- Jayron Kearse
- Randy Gregory
- Malik Hooker
- Dalton Schultz
Needless to say, Gallup probably won’t be a priority for the Cowboys. He’ll make a fine WR2 in Philadelphia.
DAK TO GALLUP 43-YD TD 🔥
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 27, 2020
Cowboys cut the Seahawks lead to 2
(via @dallascowboys)pic.twitter.com/FeCGd67rHp
DJ Chark, UFA
The Jaguars realistically need to keep as many weapons as possible for Trevor Lawrence. They currently have Laviska Shenault and Marvin Jones Jr. on the roster, but one would assume they’d like to have Chark around long-term.
The 25-year-old has already proven that he can play at a high level, recording over 1000 yards and making the Pro Bowl in 2019. Chark sustained a fractured ankle in Week 4, knocking him out for the remainder of the season — something to monitor moving forward.
DJ Chark my goodness 😳
— PFF (@PFF) December 27, 2020
pic.twitter.com/a1NEcted8i
Follow Victor Williams on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok | Subscribe, rate, review The Philly Pod today:
[…] >> Read More: Free agency: 5 second-tier WRs the Eagles should target next offseason […]
[…] >> Read More: Free agency: 5 second-tier WRs the Eagles should target next offseason […]
[…] The Eagles are ahead of schedule in their “rebuild’ and will likely be better served signing a veteran WR2 to complement DeVonta […]
[…] The Eagles certainly need another receiver to avert attention from DeVonta Smith, but there will be more dynamic options on the market. […]