When the Philadelphia Eagles visit the Washington Redskins on Sunday, they’ll have a closeup view of what could have been. During the 2019 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles selected JJ Arcega-Whiteside with the 57th pick in the 2nd round.
So far on the season, Arcega-Whiteside has 8 catches for 130 yards and one touchdown. He’s slow ascension isn’t bust worthy, but it’s concerning considering how the wide receivers drafted after him have performed this season.
Seattle took DK Metcalf with pick No. 64, and he’s accumulated 50 catches, 783 yards, and five touchdowns.
Pittsburgh took Toledo’s Diontae Johnson at No. 66 and he’s accumulated 42 catches for 483 yards and four touchdowns.
The player the Eagles will deal with in Week 15 has done the most damage thus far out of all the rookies. Terry McLaurin was selected with pick No. 76 out of Ohio State, and he’s racked up 46 catches for 703 yards and 6 touchdowns.
Against the Eagles in the season opener, McLaurin torched the Eagles for 5 catches on 125 yards and a TD, including a 70-yard bomb. With the Eagles having to win out, the focus of Philadelphia’s defense will, in fact, be the star wide receiver.
TERRY MCLAURIN CATCH OF THE YEAR.#Redskins Touchdown! pic.twitter.com/d2PubiVjaX
— Chad Ryan (@ChadwikoRCC) December 8, 2019
Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz addressed the media on Wednesday, and he spoke about what impresses him the most about McLaurin.
“He’s a guy that can make a big play … he’s proven that he’s a good player in this league.”
McLaurin leads the team in receptions, yards, and TD receptions and on Sunday it’ll be hard not to say what if and daydream about what could have been in regards to Wentz chucking bombs to the former Ohio State star.
Instead, it’ll be up to Jim Schwartz to put his cornerbacks in position to not be embarrassed by the youngster on Sunday.