Getty Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni.
The Philadelphia Eagles possess one of the deadliest one-two receiver tandems in all of football with A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.
The Eagles are giddy about the present and future there. However, questions linger at the third receiver spot, where Quez Watkins and Olamide Zaccheaus will be fighting for the slot job.
Slot is one of the roster’s biggest holes, according to Bleacher Report’s Jake Rill, who wrote that they should make a move for another player without mentioning names.
“None of those WRs are a clear starting-caliber No. 3 option,” Rill wrote in a July 10 story. “That’s why the Eagles should consider signing a free agent who can better fill that role and take some of the pressure off Brown and Smith in the offense while giving quarterback Jalen Hurts another playmaker to utilize in the passing game.
“If Philadelphia added one more solid wide receiver, its offense could reach another level,” Rill wrote. “And that would likely make the unit one of the best in the NFL in 2023.”
Brown and Smith combined for 183 receptions and 2,692 yards with 18 touchdowns in 2022 and were ranked the league’s fifth best receiving duo by Greg Jennings of The 33rd Team.
But the Eagles failed to be represented in Pro Football Focus’ top 10 slot receivers.
Watkins had 354 yards and three touchdowns last year in during his third NFL season. Zaccheaus, who signed with the Eagles after four seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, had 533 yards and three touchdown. Meanwhile,
Olamide Zaccheus v. Quez Watkins
(last 2 years)
Olamide Quez
rec 71 76
rec yds 931 1,001
rec TD 6 4
He’ll be good depth & WR3 competition for the #Eagles.
Titans Make ‘Aggressive Offer’ for DeAndre Hopkins
The team had been linked to DeAndre Hopkins at one point, but his price tag (and awkward fit in the offense) appears to be a stumbling block.
The Tennessee Titans and New England Patriots have emerged as the favorites to land DeAndre Hopkins in free agency. The five-time Pro Bowler is thought to be seeking a one-year deal worth roughly $15 million, according to multiple reports. It’s a huge financial commitment for a player who just turned 31 years old. Then again, no one is debating his talent level.
According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, the Titans have made a “more aggressive” offer than the Patriots. Hopkins is waiting to see if another team wants to enter the sweepstakes, perhaps the Kansas City Chiefs or Buffalo Bills would jump in. The Eagles remain out of the running after head coach Nick Sirianni dismissed their level of interest. Remember, Hopkins played under Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien when the two were together on the Houston Texans. His fit in New England’s offense could be a dream scenario.
REPORT: The Tennessee #Titans and New England #Patriots have made offers to free agent All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, per @MikeReiss of ESPN.
The #Titans have been more aggressive than NE to this point and Hopkins hasn’t been in a rush to sign.
One reason for Hopkins…
Devon Allen Injures Calf at U.S. Nationals
Another outside-the-box candidate to win the slot job in Philly is Devon Allen. The Olympic hurdler has the speed necessary to stretch the field vertically, although he lacks the experience and reps after a six-year hiatus from organized football. And, one week after declaring himself the fastest man in the NFL, Allen is dealing with an injury.
Eagles fans cover your eyes!
Your hybrid athlete and speed demon WR, Devon Allen, came up limp after running a very flawed prelim race. He did qualify for the semifinals. He’s a favorite to make the USA Championship team.
The track star pulled up limp at the USATF Outdoor Championships at the University of Oregon. He hurt his calf on July 8 and was scratched from the 110-meter hurdle event on July 9. That means Allen won’t qualify for the World Athletic Championship. He had to finish in the top-three to earn a spot. Instead, he’s expected to head to Eagles training camp depending on the health of his left calf.
“I don’t want to ultimately hurt myself seriously, you know, I got training camp coming up in two weeks,” Allen told reporters. “A lot of big picture, in terms of my health. I hurt my calf. My left [calf].”