Eagles

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.

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.

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.

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.

>> 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.

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.

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.

Follow Victor Williams on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok | Subscribe, rate, review The Philly Pod today:

Victor Williams is the host/producer of The Philly Pod on iHeartRadio and leads all Eagles coverage as co-founder of The Liberty Line.

Read More

Comments (4)

Leave a Reply

Back To Top

Discover more from The Liberty Line

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading