Eagles’ 2023 training camp preview: Looking at the wide receiver position
The Eagles have made several roster moves that added depth to critical positions, but wide receiver was one under-the-radar spot that needed to be upgraded.
Philadelphia has one of the top pass-catching duos in the NFL with A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, but the depth behind the two superstars left much to be desired.
The Eagles then addressed the position in free agency, adding Olamide Zaccheaus to compete with Quez Watkins.
Howie Roseman then added two intriguing undrafted free agents in Joseph Ngata (Clemson) and Jadon Haselwood (Arkansas).
With the final OTA practice scheduled for Thursday, here’s an updated look at the wide receiver position ahead of training camp.
A.J. Brown
Brown was expected to be a considerable addition to the Philadelphia offense, but his 88 catches for 1,496 yards and 11 touchdowns were monster numbers for a wide receiver joining a new organization.
Brown averaged 3.4 yards per route run against man coverage, the fourth-most in the league.
DeVonta Smith
Smith set the franchise record for receptions in a single season (95).
In his second year, Smith had close to 1,200 yards during the regular season, 100 yards in the Super Bowl, and over the last eight games of the regular season, was the 4th-leading receiver in the NFL.
Smith and Brown also became the first WR duo in franchise history to record 1,000-plus receiving yards each.
The Heisman Trophy winner will look to take the next steps and join the elite group of receivers in the NFL.
Quez Watkins
Watkins had just 354 receiving yards in 17 games, and his yards per catch plummeted to 10.7 after a 2021 season in which he logged 43 catches for 647 yards.
Olamide Zaccheaus
An ideal fit for the Eagles’ offense, Zaccheaus can play multiple wide receiver positions, made good on 93 percent of “catchable” balls, and has displayed consistent hands in his four NFL seasons.
Greg Ward
Originally signed by the Eagles as a rookie free agent in 2017, Ward started this season on the Injured Reserve list with a toe injury before he was added to the practice squad in October. He was elevated from the practice squad for Super Bowl LVII.
Britain Covey
In his first nine games, Covey averaged 7.6 yards per punt return, which ranked 18th out of 24 returners. In the last 11 games, he averaged 12.7, the 2nd-highest in the league behind Donovan Peoples-Jones.
Covey will look to carve out a role on offense in year 2.
Devon Allen
Allen signed with the Eagles as a free agent during the 2022 offseason after a six-year hiatus competing as an Olympic hurdler.
He had one 55-yard touchdown against the Browns during the preseason and spent the year on Philadelphia’s practice squad.
Tyrie Cleveland
A 2020 seventh-round draft pick out of the University of Florida, Cleveland played in 23 career games for the Broncos, amassing 91 yards on nine receptions.
Cleveland made six appearances this season, mainly on special teams.
His most recent game action came in Week 10 for the Broncos, when he saw three targets in a loss to the Titans, as Denver was without starting wide receivers Jerry Jeudy (ankle) and KJ Hamler (hamstring), who was sidelined by injury.
Cleveland has a history with offensive coordinator Brian Johnson from their time in Gainsville.
Josph Ngata
Ngata saw action in 45 games with 25 starts through his four-year tenure at Clemson. He compiled 1,287 receiving yards and six touchdowns during that span.
Breakdown: Ngata saw action in 45 games with 25 starts through his four-year tenure at Clemson. He compiled 1,287 receiving yards and six touchdowns during that span.
How he fits with the Eagles: Standing 6’ 3’’. At 217 pounds, Ngata offers Philadelphia elite size and decent athleticism.
He won’t separate from opposing defenders, but Ngata is a smooth pass-catcher and a player to watch.
Highlights: via SimplyAS10
Arkansas, wide receiver, Jadon Haselwood
Breakdown: Haselwood is the one player to watch. A former Georgia prep legend once compared to A.J. Green. Haselwood played at Oklahoma for three seasons until transferring to Arkansas following Head Coach Lincoln Riley’s departure to USC. During his time at Oklahoma and Arkansas, he compiled 1,438 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.
How he fits: At 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, the Georgia native led Arkansas with 59 receptions in 2022 and could be a potential fourth or fifth wide receiver for Brian Johnson’s explosive offense. Haselwood offers elite size and pedigree.
Highlights:
