Like most rookies in the NFL, Josh Huff’s first season with the Philadelphia Eagles was up and down. At times Huff looked like a future star in the NFL. At others, he looked like nothing more than a depth receiver. However, one thing is for sure — he possesses a ton of potential.

That potential is what led Chip Kelly to select Huff in the third round of the 2014 draft. While some experts viewed the selection as a reach, Kelly viewed it as a steal. After recruiting and coaching Huff at Oregon, Kelly knew Huff and what he brought to the table both on and off the field. When draft day rolled around, Kelly knew the man he wanted.

After trading up to select Vanderbilt wide receiver Jordan Matthews in the second round, people thought the Eagles would pass on selecting another pass catcher for at least another round or two. When it came time for the Eagles to pick in the third round, Kelly pulled the trigger on Huff. He knew a big and strong receiver like Mathews and the shorter, explosive receiver in Huff could create a deadly combination. Kelly knew the type of people Huff and Matthews were, both great athletes with an impressive work ethic and willing to lay it on the line for their teammates.

Huff’s rookie year was filled with highs and lows. There were flashes of potential in his 107-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans. And it happened again on his 44-yard catch and run where he made five guys miss against rival Dallas Cowboys. Like any other rookie, though, with the good came the bad. There was his fumble while going in for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals which cost the Eagles the game. There was also a breakdown in communication on the opening kickoff in the same Cowboys game with fellow returner Brad Smith that led to the Cowboys recovering the ball and scoring the game’s first touchdown. With Huff’s potential second to none, it was his mental errors that restricted him from getting on the field as much as he and the coaching staff would have liked.

While Huff was inconsistent his rookie year, he still made an impact. He showed the coaching staff and fans that he has the ability to contribute at the NFL level. Huff worked out hard this offseason, working on his route running and pass catching. He put on weight as he reportedly showed up to Eagles OTAs 15 pounds stronger and looked faster in the position drills. After minicamp practices, he was a regular on the JUGS machine, catching extra passes after the rest of his teammates had left the field. His hard work and dedication has paid off thus far and is one of the reasons why Kelly was so comfortable taking him in the third round in 2014.

With Huff, it all boils down to consistency. He has put in the time and work to perfect his craft, and it has paid off this offseason. If he continues to shine in training camp and the preseason, he will see many more snaps than he did last season. That being said, Huff must limit his mental errors. That means no breakdowns in communication and no fumbling the football. If Huff can limit the mistakes, he can really make an impact for the Eagles in the NFL. With a core nucleus of Huff, Matthews and this year’s first-round pick Nelson Agholor at the wide receiver position, the future is bright in Philadelphia.