Potential cost-effective adds at wide receiver for the Eagles in 2020 free agency
Who doesn’t enjoy shopping? The euphoria of clicking “place order” is difficult to articulate. As a purchaser, you possess the money to splurge with your earnings or pick and choose what you’re looking for. With Philadelphia among the bottom half of the league in cap space at $40,930,800, per Over the Cap, they might need to be a little frugal when it comes to addressing needs.
However, that doesn’t preclude the Eagles from signing one of the big-ticket options at wide receiver or cornerback. Amari Cooper, A.J. Green and Robby Anderson represent the crème de la crème among 2020 wide receiver free agents.
Cooper is in the midst of his prime and has been the Cowboys’ no. 1 receiver since his arrival two years ago. The 26-year-old Cooper ranked 10th among wide receivers last season in value per play, per Football Outsiders’ DVOA metric. A.J. Green missed the 2019 season’s entirety with an ankle injury. Couple that red flag with age concerns and he’s a talent Philadelphia shouldn’t be monitoring.
Anderson checks both boxes of age (26) and ability that warrant an annual eight-figure salary. The former Temple wideout caught passes on a variety of routes from quarterback Sam Darnold and provides the vertical trait. Anderson stands at 6'3" and is a slender 190 pounds. He doesn’t possess elite speed but is a candidate for deep routes, whether it’s fades or crossers.
I’d be surprised if the Eagles didn’t have Anderson amongst their wideouts they’ve done the most homework on. Anderson would immediately slide into the no. 1 role, following a year where he hauled in 52 receptions for 779 yards and five touchdowns.
How much would the Eagles pay Anderson? Per The Athletic’s Connor Hughes, multiple league sources expect in the $13-to-$15 million range per year. In comparison, the wide receivers who made in that threshold were Alshon Jeffery (43 receptions for 490 yards and four TDs over 10 games), T.Y. Hilton (45 receptions for 501 yards and five TDs over 10 games), Allen Robinson (98 receptions for 1,147 yards and seven TDs over 16 games), Stefon Diggs (63 receptions for 1,130 yards and six touchdowns over 15 games), Davante Adams (83 receptions for 997 yards and five touchdowns over 12 games), and A.J. Green.
While the NFL’s salary cap is annually increasing, Anderson would be getting paid no. 1 WR money. You can justifiably be on either side when it comes to acquiring Anderson.
He’s capable of being an impact player in intermediate and deep throws who runs a variety of routes. His combination of speed and height would benefit Carson Wentz, providing a wideout who can get into routes quicker than Jeffery or JJ Arcega-Whiteside. Finally, if the Eagles sign Anderson and draft a dynamo wide receiver you’re looking at a revamped depth chart.
Jeffery’s injury places a question mark on his timetable and role next season.
The detractors will seek to distribute cap space in other fashion. Maybe, they feel cornerback is more of a priority and add that cornerback is a more difficult level adjustment for rookies than wide receiver. There’s also Anderson’s woeful catch percentage over four seasons, a figure on Pro-Football-Reference.com that divides receptions by targets, or the fact that he’s yet to eclipse 1,000 yards in a season. The former is obviously more of a concern. It’s worth noting that catch percentage is noisy, factoring in accuracy and every target. A home run threat would have a lower catch percentage, via the depth of his routes.
Whichever side of the coin you favor, value is what’s paramount for Philadelphia’s offseason. If the Eagles fail to sign Anderson or any of the marquee wide receivers they’re seeking, they could opt for a cheaper talent. Here are four free agent wide receivers, not in any particular order, who Roseman might find at a thrift shop rate.
1. Demarcus Robinson (UFA) — 25 years old (9/24/1994), 6'1" and 203 pounds
2019 season statistics (16 games): 32 receptions, 449 yards (14.0 YPC), four touchdowns, 58.2 catch percentage
Robinson created a market for himself after successfully serving as one of Patrick Mahomes’ secondary options. Robinson can play either on the boundary or in the slot and is elusive with the ball in his hands.
The Eagles are pursuing Robinson, as The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane reported earlier this month.
“He is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next month, and per NFL sources, Roseman and company have the 25-year-old receiver in their sights.”
Robinson ranked 51st in DVOA last season, two spots ahead of Anderson, and represents a player who’s yet to hit his ceiling. Robinson’s footwork is on display in the clip below. Robinson executes a triple move, which has the Chargers defender turned in the opposite direction.
If you’re out on Anderson, the former Kansas City wideout should be on your free agent wish list. If Jeffery isn’t ready for the season opener, the Eagles could roll out a rookie, Jackson, Robinson and Arcega-Whiteside. Since we’re spending Anderson’s salary elsewhere, that’s not an eyesore WR lineup.
2. Tajae Sharpe (UFA) — 25 years old (12/23/1994), 6'2" and 194 pounds
2019 season statistics (15 games): 25 receptions, 329 yards (13.2 YPC), four touchdowns, 71.4 percent catch rate
Former Green Bay Packer Allen Lazard would’ve been a value grab if the Eagles didn’t already possess two giants at wideout. Redundancy isn’t optimal and we’re still preaching patience with Arcega-Whiteside. However, competition for the fourth or third wide receiver spot, depending on Jeffery’s health, will challenge the Eagles’ second-year wideout. Tajae Sharpe could find a role with a respectable preseason.
Sharpe surprised those following the league with 522 receiving yards on 41 receptions in his rookie season (2016). Sharpe missed the 2017 regular season with a foot injury and didn’t garner similar attention when he returned in 2018, as his targets decreased from 83 to 47. Sharpe, however, had his most efficient season in 2019.
Sharpe increased his catch rate from 55.3 percent to 71.4 percent, averaged the most yards per reception in his career (13.2) and led the league in first downs per target — courtesy of Nate Tice.
Being able to adjust to the quarterback’s improvisation is vital. If Wentz can alter his fumbling tendencies and move around the pocket more, Sharpe could be a beneficiary.
3. Keelan Cole (RFA) — 26 years old (4/20/1993), 6'1" and 194 pounds
2019 season statistics (16 games): 24 receptions, 361 yards (15.0 YPC), three touchdowns, 68.6 catch percentage
Keelan Cole has a flair for the ridiculousness. This incredible snag came two years ago against the Cincinnati Bengals. Blake Bortles threw behind Cole, who was running the post. Cole extends with his momentum carrying him in the opposite direction and has enough grip strength to corral the ball in time.
Cole wasn’t quite finished with the acrobatics, as Cole manages to defy physics and what’s humanly capable once again. Cole runs a go route that appears to be a back-shoulder fade. Bortles throws a dart to Cole’s back shoulder. Cole adjusts to grib the ball, motions it foward to align with his momentum, holds onto it, then presses it to his stomach for control.
Cole finished fourth among Jaguars receivers with 35 targets in 2019 and he only had one reception for 19 yards in the first six games. Cole fell out of favor while emerging players like DJ Chark and Chris Conley were the team’s two leading receivers.
Lined up both in the slot and along the boundary last season, Cole, primarily, did most of his intermediate damage on crossers and comebacks. He was also an option in the flat on quick passes that were an extension of Jacksonville’s running game. Cole’s longest reception of the year was a 55-yard connection from rookie revelation Gardner Minshew.
It’s trips formation to the left and Cole leaves his man in the dust with the well-executed double move.
Cole’s drastic decline in snaps hints that he’ll be playing in a uniform other than Jaguars teal next season. Cole is similar size to Sharpe and has experience in the slot. He’d bring a balanced presence to the Eagles and was Pro Football Focus’ no. 70 ranked receiver last season.
A restricted free agent, Jacksonville could match any offer Cole receives.
4. Kendrick Bourne (RFA) — 24 years old (8/4/1995)
2019 season statistics (16 games): 30 receptions, 358 yards (11.9 YPC), five touchdowns, 68.2 catch percentage
Bourne won’t stretch the field, but he received a lot of reps on short passes last season. The slant was one route, in particular, Kyle Shanahan implemented for Bourne. Bourne didn’t have many opportunities to exhibit his athleticism after the catch, but he showed good footwork by juking Ravens cornerback Marcus Peters.
Bourne was the 49ers’ third wideout last season and lined up more along the boundary than in the slot for his possessions. He ranked well in Pro Football Focus and Football Outsiders’ DVOA last year, heading into his fourth professional season. However, he had an issue with drops.
Similarly to Cole, San Francisco can match any offer Bourne receives.
Stats courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com and Football Outsiders. Videos courtesy of NFL All-22.