Philadelphia Eagles Should Consider Nabbing Premiere WR Early in 2013 NFL Draft

By Joe Doris
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

At first glance, it looks like the Philadelphia Eagles are good-to-go at the wide receiver position for their 2013 campaign with DeSean Jackson returning from the Injured Reserve, and Jeremy Maclin ready to suit up for his fifth NFL season.

But there is one thing that the Eagles are certainly lacking when it comes to their receiving core, and that is size.

Jackson and Maclin are incredibly elusive, shifty little speedsters who thrive in the open-field and especially in the ‘yards after catch’ category. Newcomer Damaris Johnson is also a pint-sized receiver who can excel in the slot and return game, but does not have the body-type of a premiere NFL wide-out.

So, there is no doubt that the Eagles’ starting wide-outs lack the muscle and height necessary to battle for jump-balls and physically dominate defenders at the professional level.

Therefore, head coach Chip Kelly and the Eagles need to try and snatch up a beast of a wide receiver in the 2013 NFL Draft who is capable of starting almost immediately.

University of California WR Keenan Allen, standing at 6′ 2″, is the number one receiving prospect in this year’s draft class, but he is not really worth the Eagles’ fourth overall pick in the first round. The only way that the Birds could consider drafting Allen is if they trade down to the late first round.

The Eagles’ other options include University of Tennessee teammates, WR Cordarrelle Patterson (6′ 3″) and WR Justin Hunter (6′ 4″), who are both huge targets with massive potential. If the Eagles think it is wise to wait until later rounds to eye a bulky wide-out, Virginia Tech’s Marcus Davis (6′ 4″) is a very raw talent who will certainly still be available when the third and fourth rounds roll around on Day 2.

There is a plethora of receivers for the Eagles to choose from in this year’s draft class, and the right selection would do wonders for the Birds’ future offensive production.

 

Please follow Joe on Twitter @Joe_RantNFL for all Eagles/NFL insight.

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