Tag: JJ Arcega-Whiteside

J.J. Arcega-Whiteside breaking into the Eagles’ starting rotation named one bold training camp prediction

J.J. Arcega-Whiteside breaking into the Eagles’ starting rotation deemed one bold training camp prediction

With Alshon Jeffery likely to start the 2020 NFL season on the PUP list, JJ Arcega-Whiteside will be called upon to help bolster the Eagles outside skill positions.

The second-year pro out of Stanford is facing huge expectations after the Eagles passed on DK Metcalf, Deebo Samuel, and Terry McLaurin for Arcega-Whiteside only to see him post 10 catches on the year.

Now injury-free and expected to only learn one position, Arcega-Whiteside enters the 2020 season with expectations and ESPN’s Tim McManus used his one bold training camp prediction to project Arcega-Whiteside as a starter on the outside.

Philadelphia Eagles

Receiver J.J. Arcega-Whiteside will break into the starting rotation.

His rookie season was a disappointment, as he managed 10 catches for 169 yards while several of his peers around the league flourished. It’s too soon to count him out. Arcega-Whiteside was slowed by injury and weighed down mentally by having to learn all three receiver positions. Less burdened entering Year 2, he’ll make a case for being the starting receiver opposite DeSean Jackson — especially with Alshon Jeffery still on the mend from a Lisfranc injury. — Tim McManus

Arcega-Whiteside has a heavy advantage over the Eagles three rookie wide receivers and his quest to become a starter improved greatly win Marquise Goodwin opted out of the 2020 NFL season.

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Philadelphia Eagles 53-man roster projection ahead of 2020 training camp

Eagles 53-man roster projection ahead of 2020 training camp

GM Howie Roseman stayed true to his retooling effort, forgoing big named free agents at specific positions to add youth and speed to the roster.

In the NFL draft, Roseman made waves by selecting a quarterback in the second round and then securing Carson Wentz some speed via trade (Marquise Goodwin) and three solid draft picks in Jalen Reagor, John Hightower, and Quez Watkins.

With the training camp here and set to start here’s a look at the Eagles projected 53-man roster.

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QB – 3 — Carson Wentz, Jalen Hurts, Nate Sudfeld

Sudfeld is the unquestioned backup, but the Eagles have made it clear that Hurts will be involved from the beginning, meaning he’ll likely make the roster every week, especially with it expanding two more players.

A huge battle to watch will be Sudfeld and Hurts, with the rookie possibly ascending early on or struggling to learn the ropes as an NFL passer. Either way, Hurts is apart of the Eagles’ future and apart of the present.

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EAST HARTFORD, CT – SEPTEMBER 29: Michael Warren II #3 of the Cincinnati Bearcats carries the ball during the first half against the Connecticut Huskies at Rentschler Field on September 29, 2018 in East Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images)

RB – 4 — Boston Scott, Corey Clement, Miles Sanders, Michael Warren

The Eagles appeared prepared to enter the 2020 NFL season with three holdovers from last season and Elijah Holyfield was the third name. After bringing Corey Clement back in free agency and signing undrafted free agent Michael Warren, this group will look different. Sanders will be a year stronger, while the Eagles brass loves Boston Scott and what he brings.  Look for the undrafted rookie Michael Warren, to snag the role of goalline and short-yardage back if it isn’t Jalen Hurts there as well.

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Has Greg Ward earned the right to be the Eagles starting slot-receiver entering the 2020 season?

Greg Ward has earned the right to be Eagles starting WR in the slot

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Greg Ward Jr. worked for three years on the Eagles practice squad to show the coaches and executives that he had the skills to play in the NFL.

During the Eagles late-season run in 2019, Ward was an integral part of the team’s success and looked to have finally found a place on an NFL roster.

A former University of Houston quarterback who changed his position to wide receiver, Ward was the Eagles’ most consistent and reliable receiver during the Birds four-game run to a division title, snagging 28 catches for 254 yards and one touchdown during that six-week stretch.

As Ward and the Eagles enter the 2020 season, the roster dynamics have changed, and what initially looked like a starting role this season dwindled back to another preseason battle for a roster spot.

The Eagles acquired the speedy Marquise Goodwin on draft night and then selected Jalen Reagor, John Hightower, and Quez Watkins to add more speed and athleticism to the roster.

What that means for Ward has yet to be seen because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Eagles were unable to gather for offseason workouts, OTA’s or minicamps.

A virtual offseason should allow Ward to enter training camp with an advantage at the position and Doug Pederson’s comments about Jalen Reagor were also a blessing for Ward as well.

When speaking with Eagles Insider Dave Spadaro recently, Pederson hinted at playing Reagor on the outside, behind DeSean Jackson initially.

“Right now, he’s going to come in and he’s going to learn one position and he is going to learn from DeSean Jackson and learn everything he can,” Head Coach Doug Pederson said. “Obviously, the playbook is extensive and we just have to see what he’s taken from the offseason to Training Camp, and then once we see his potential and his growth, then we can use him in multiple spots. But one of the things that all of our receivers really have the capability of doing is moving inside, whether they are an outside guy going inside or an inside guy going outside. We’ll keep him at one position to start and we’ll grow from there.”

With Alshon Jeffery likely to start the regular season on the PUP list, JJ Arcega-Whiteside will likely be the starter on the outside opposite Jackson, unless Marquise Goodwin can snag the job away from the second-year wideout.

Ward has earned the right to enter training camp as the starter, but it’ll be interesting to see if the Eagles put any stock into his late-season performance, or if they’re prepared to start the youth movement earlier than expected.

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Eagles’ WR’s land just outside the top-10 in a ranking of all 32 units entering the 2020 NFL season

Eagles are No. 12 in a PFF ranking of all 32 WR units in the NFL

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The Philadelphia Eagles underwent a drastic change at the wide receiver position after struggling to generate any offense from the deep passing game during last season.

The results were a trade for Marquise Goodwin and the drafting of Jalen Reagor, John Hightower, and Quez Watkins. Throw in a healthy Alshon Jeffery, DeSean Jackson, and JJ Arcega-Whiteside and you have the makeup of a talented and explosive group.

With so much untapped potential, Pro Football Focus gave the Eagles the spot at No. 12 in a ranking of all 32 wide receivers groups in the NFL.

12. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Heading into last season, the on-paper version of the Eagles receivers looked like a perfect blend of big bodies, slot production and deep speed, but injuries struck and they ended up being the lowest-graded receiving corps in the league at 61.7. The Eagles had a clear offseason goal of getting faster, and that should immediately be evident, starting with the addition of Marquise Goodwin from the 49ers and first-rounder Jalen Reagor.

Goodwin has averaged 16.6 yards per reception in his seven-year career, though his best work came in 2017 with a 77.0 grade and 962 yards. He’s played just 706 snaps over the last two years. Reagor ran a 4.47 40-yard dash at the scouting combine, but he plays even faster as he gets to top speed in a hurry. He should add a much-needed vertical component to the Philadelphia offense. And don’t forget about DeSean Jackson, who caught nine passes for 159 yards and two scores in Week 1 before playing just 14 snaps the rest of the way. If he’s still with the team at the start of the season, Jackson has plenty to offer as a deep threat, even as he starts the 13th year of his career.

The return of Alshon Jeffery will be huge for the Eagles as the talented wideout is a monster in the red zone and one of the most efficient wide receivers on third and fourth downs.

Jeffery simply gets it done when needed the most.

Arcega-Whiteside was a red zone monster in college and the Eagles offense will take off if he can rekindle that ability to win jump balls.

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7 Philadelphia Eagles who need to step up for Carson Wentz in 2020

7 Philadelphia Eagles who need to step up for Carson Wentz in 2020

The Philadelphia Eagles will enter the 2020 NFL season with championship aspirations and a quarterback on the hunt for his absolute respect around the league.

Wentz is one of the top-5 quarterbacks in the game, but all critics talk about are his eight games missed over the past three seasons including his first postseason start against the Seahawks last year.

Wentz can’t win another division title alone and in this breakdown, we’ll look at the seven Eagles who need to step up and do their part for the MVP candidate.

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Matt Pryor

1.  Matt Pryor, Right Guard

Pryor spent two seasons learning the Eagles’ offense for this moment and was the Eagles’ choice to replace Brandon Brooks in the Birds Wild Card loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

Originally selected by the Eagles in the 6th round (206th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft, Pryor actually made his first career NFL start in place of an injured Brooks in that Wild Card game vs. Seattle.

An All-Big 12 honoree at TCU, Pryor will be called upon to help the Eagles maintain the distinction of being in the top-3 annually in both pass and run blocking. Pryor won’t be able to match Brandon Brooks’s production, but he’ll definitely need to hold up in the interior so Wentz can work his magic.

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Philadelphia Eagles 2020 offense set to have a 49ers feel?

Doug Pederson says Eagles’ offense will ‘look a little bit different’ in 2020

The Philadelphia Eagles entered the offseason looking to get younger and faster on both sides of the ball. That mission has been accomplished with noted acquisitions like Darius Slay, Javon Hargrave, Will Parks, Jalen Reagor, K’Von Wallace, and several others.

Eagles brass entered the offseason with an agenda on offense and Doug Pederson’s deliberate approach with retooling the coaching staff now makes sense after seeing his comments in a recent Inquirer article detailing how the Birds are looking to become the 49ers of the east in some sense.

Last season the Eagles ranked 16th in passing yards, 11th in rushing yards and 12th in total touchdowns scored. Those are playoff worthy numbers, but it speaks to the Eagles too often needing luck or a big play to bounce their way down the stretch.

Pederson addressed his evaluation process and the schematic changes we can look forward to in Philadelphia this coming season.

“I think what we’ve done as a staff in the offseason with our scheme evaluation, making things better, the staff hires that I’ve done to bring in new thoughts and new ideas and ways to enhance our offense, I think (the offense) is going to look a little bit different,” Pederson recently said, via the Inquirer.

Rich Scangarello appears to be the central figure in the retooling of the coaching staff and although Pederson calls his own plays and Press Taylor was elevated to the passing game coordinator, it’ll be the 49ers, former assistant coach making all the waves.

Scangarello has worked with Shanahan and has a history with Sean McVay, so Doug Pederson appears to be banking on the offensive consultant providing the Eagles with different looks, formations, and schematic advantages that Carson Wentz can take advantage of.

Shanahan’s offenses preach space, efficient use of the open field, with zone-blocking concepts in the running game, and devastating play-action passing.

Scangarello we’ll most certainly incorporate some of Shanahan’s offensive concepts that allowed San Francisco to finish the 2019 season in the Super Bowl after they finished second in scoring, fourth in total yards, second in rushing and fifth in third-down efficiency.

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7 Eagles’ reserves who need to step up during the 2020 NFL season

7 Eagles reserves who need to step up during the 2020 NFL season

The Philadelphia Eagles enter the 2020 NFL season as playoff contenders and Super Bowl 55 hopefuls.

The Birds will ride the arm of Carson Wentz and a revamped defense that now includes a shutdown cornerback and a dominant interior defensive line.

With the Eagles starters looking solid across the board, it’ll be imperative for a group of reserves to step up this season.

Here are 7 Eagles reserves who’ll be called upon in huge moments and need to step up during the 2020 NFL season.

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1. Malik Jackson

Jackson will be super motivated after missing the entire season due to a foot injury suffered in the 2019 season opener against the Washington Redskins.

Jackson is looking at starting the season as a reserve after the Eagles inked Javon Hargrave to a monster deal.

Howie Roseman signed Jackson to a three-year deal in hopes of pairing the talented defensive tackle with Fletcher Cox.

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Eagles GM Howie Roseman on ‘competition’ dictating which WR plays

Howie Roseman says competition will dictate which Eagles WR plays

The Philadelphia Eagles went from having one of the slowest skill groups in the NFL to potentially have a formidable 4-100 relay team made out of wide receivers.

The Eagles started off by landing Jalen Reagor at pick No. 21 overall. The former TCU star is known for his jets and big-play abilities. After Reagor, the Eagles landed an elite athlete in Boise State wide receiver John Hightower.

Then Howie Roseman flipped a sixth-round pick former 49ers speed-burner, Marquise Goodwin. By the time the ink was dry on Goodmin, Roseman sealed the deal by adding Southern Miss speedster Quez Watkins.

Howie Roseman now has a wide receiving corps that includes DeSean Jackson, Alshon Jeffery, Greg Ward, JJ Arcega-Whiteside, Marken Michel, Marcus Green, Shelton Gibson, Robert Davis, River Cracraft, and Deontay Burnett.

That’s ten veterans to go with three rookies and a recently acquired veteran in Goodwin. Everyone’s not going to make the cut and when asked what we’ll determine playing time on the outside, Roseman didn’t mince words.

The Eagles finished the season with a practice squad at wide receiver. They’ll enter the 2020 season with one of the fastest teams in the NFL, that won’t have room for everyone involved.

NFL Draft 2020: List of every WR drafted by the Eagles under GM Howie Roseman

List of every Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver drafted under Howie Roseman

The Philadelphia Eagles are just hours from being on the NFL draft clock and Howie Roseman will have a huge decision to make on the personnel front.

Roseman will indeed target wide receivers with his eight picks, but the questions and concerns center around who and when.

Roseman is known for being an active participant on draft night and his perfection with the salary cap is second to none. It’s Roseman’s player analysis and penchant for missing on players that have some Eagles fans nervous.

The Eagles have drafted eight wide receivers since Roseman became the Eagles general manager in 2010. Only Riley Cooper and Nelson Agholor can be deemed anything close to being successful.

With the Eagles not guaranteed a shot at the big four of Jeudy, Lamb, Ruggs, and Jefferson, it’ll be even more pertinent for Roseman to make the correct decision on wide receivers in the draft.

With Roseman set to be on the clock, here’s a list of the previous wide receivers drafted under Howie as GM.

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2010.

Riley Cooper, Florida, Round-5, Pick 159 overall

Most known for his comments at a Kenny Chesney concert, the former Florida Gators star was the first wideout drafted under Roseman.

Cooper spent six seasons with the Eagles, catching 169 balls in 88 total games, for 2,418 yards, and 18 career touchdowns.

His best season came in 2013 when Cooper caught 47 balls for 837 yards and 8 touchdowns.

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Eagles land at No. 12 in ESPN’s 2020 post free agency Power Rankings

Philadelphia Eagles No. 12 team in ESPN’s NFL 2020 Power Rankings

The Philadelphia Eagles are preparing for the NFL and looking ahead to some semblance of an NFL season amid the COVID-19 crisis.

Even with everything going on, ESPN Insiders have been paying attention to the offseason transactions and the Birds just landed a favorable ranking in the post-free agency power rankings.

Carson Wentz and company landed right outside the top-10, coming in at No. 12.

12. Philadelphia Eagles

Way-too-early ranking: 14

Three words: Send receivers, STAT! The Eagles did not address wide receiver during the main wave of free agency, even with Nelson Agholor departing for the Raiders and Alshon Jeffery still recovering from Lisfranc surgery. The plan is clear: to address the need in the draft by drawing early and often from what has been dubbed a historic wide receiver class. That approach leaves little room for error. The pressure is on to get it right come April. — Tim McManus

The Cowboys and Buccaneers landed in front of the Birds at 11 and 10 respectively.

While the Eagles wait to load up on receivers via the draft, Howie Roseman restocked the talent pool, acquiring Darius Slay via trade, and signing Javon Hargrave, Nickell Robey-Coleman, Jatavis Brown, Will Parks.

The team also re-signed Jalen Mills and Rodney McLeod at the safety position.

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