FanPost

2011 Wide Receivers in depth.


This years squad has many strengths at at key positions, wide outs being one of the strongest. this year we have the best corps of pass catchers that Andy Reid has yet coached in his 12 seasons as Head Coach. Atop the list is DeSean Jackson, "Green Lightning " as I like to call him, the NFL's most dangerous wideout. Though he doesn't post high numbers in receptions, and he never will in Andy's West Coast offense due to the heavy volumes of passes the tailbacks and tight ends see, his average yards per catch (22.5 ypr)  ranked 1st last year and catches of 20+ yards (21) ranked 3rd. Jackson seen a significant decrease in receptions last year, he had 47, compared to having 62 in each of his first 2 years. I expect him to see an increase in receptions, decrease in average yards per catch, and increase in touchdowns in 2011. My expectations- 55 catches, 1030 yards, 8 TD, 18.7 YPR. Next on the list is 3rd year wideout Jeremy Maclin. J Mac had an exceptional 2nd year last season, and numbers wise, became Michael Vick's most frequent target. Maclin notched 70 catches for 964 yards,10 TD and an average of 13.8 yards per. Not so much of a deep threat as Jackson, Maclin did bring in 23 more catches than Jackson, but ended up with almost 100 fewer yards than him. his average was well below Jacksons as well, almost a 9 yard difference. Maclin has an undisclosed illness right now, keeping him off the practice fields at Lehigh, and there is no definate answer as to when he'll be back on the field. Maclin has said he expects to suit up for week 1 at St. Louis, but we cant accually pen in that we will see him on the field. Expectations- 77 Receptions, 1,235 yards, 12 TD, 16.0 YPR. Next is arguably the NFL's best slot man, Jason Avant. The longest tenured WR on the team, Avant has hands like no other, the guy simply does not drop the ball, if its in his path, rest assure 81 is pulling in the ball. Avant had 51 grabs, 573 yards, only 1 score and a YPR of 11.2. Not your deep threat target or even your endzone target, Avant is a sure 1st down receiver, notching 31 1st down grabs last season. for a slot guy, that is a hell of a number, 60.7 percent of his catches were first downs, a solid number, I only expect him to be better in this years offense. Expectations- 60 catches, 825 yards, 4 TD, 13.7 yards per. The  last guy I will analyze is slowly becoming one of my more favorite players, Riley Cooper. Cooper had a very quiet season in 2010, here is the stats- 7 receptions, 116 yards, 1 TD and 16.7 YPC. Low amount of catches last year, but thats last year, i look at the YPC and i go nuts, this kids average is well above average, and if Vick can target him more, I only expect this offense to be even more dangerous. Coop has great hands, and he has a great attitude, I expect him to be the team's breakout player this fall. Expectations- 35 catches, 580 yards, 5 TD, 16.5 YPC. The teams other current receivers are Terrance Turner, Chad Hall, Sinorice Moss, Johnny Lee Higgins, Steve Smith, Rod Harper,Gerald Jones, and Brandon Caleb. I expect Higgins to make the team as a return specialist, and Smith to be a key factor as a potential starter if he can get back on the field at 100 percent. As for the others, I cant see the Eagles keeping any more than 6 receievers, so they would be sent to practice squad or be cut prior to Week 1.

 

Shawn Kranich.