Robby Anderson signs elsewhere as Eagles’ free agent wide receiver options dwindle

Well, cross Robby Anderson off the list of free agent wide receivers for the Philadelphia Eagles. The Temple alumnus is reuniting with Matt Rhule by reportedly signing a two-year, $20 million contract with the Carolina Panthers.

Anderson was a rumored Eagles target given how Philadelphia tried to trade for him during the 2018 season.

Signing Anderson would’ve given the Eagles a proven deep threat outside of DeSean Jackson, who is coming off core muscle surgery and turns 34 this year.

The Eagles have curiously done nothing to address their receiver position since NFL free agency started last week. With a number of options already off the board, here’s a look at what remains (hat tip to Establish The Run):

Breshad Perriman (26)

Devin Funchess (25)

Paul Richardson (28)

Rashard Higgins (25)

Demarcus Robinson (25)

Ted Ginn (34)

Tajae Sharpe (25)

Taylor Gabriel (29)

Demaryius Thomas (32)

Geronimo Allison (26)

Marcus Johnson (25)

Tavon Austin (29)

Perriman certainly makes sense for the Eagles but there has been talk that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are pushing to re-sign him as a weapon for Tom Brady. Not many other especially intriguing options from that bunch.

The Eagles’ approach to the receiver position thus far has been strange. Are they really just counting on getting some good wideouts through the 2020 NFL Draft. The class is loaded with receiver talent, sure, but the Eagles have never successfully drafted and developed a long-term player at receiver since Howie Roseman was hired in 2010. Counting on rookies to contribute right away would be a bold assumption, especially during an offseason with limited practice time due to the coronavirus. Counting on JJ Arcega-Whiteside to take a big step forward ignores how history doesn’t bode well for his outlook.

Hopefully the Eagles smarten up and find a way to sign Perriman. It’s not like he’s a sure bet to automatically fix the position but there’s reason to believe he can help.

The Eagles have arguably had the league’s worst wide receiving corps for two of Carson Wentz’s four years in the NFL. Hopefully Roseman can find some legitimate weapons to avoid that count from becoming three out of five. Hard to be overly encouraged by what they team has done so far, which is ... nothing.