NFL Draft: Top Eagles WR Targets Outside of Round 1

The debate for months leading up to the NFL draft for Eagles fans was the new top receiver that would be wearing Midnight Green come next September. Like fans of the movie series Twilight staking their allegiances with Team Edward or Team Jacob, Eagles fans rallied their support behind their pass catcher of choice. 

The fighting between the Ja’Marr Chase company and the Kyle Pitts posse (with a smaller allegiance of Devonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle fans trying to interject) was fierce for weeks… but what if it was for nothing? What if on April 29th Howie Roseman hands in his draft card and it’s not a receiver written down? In that case, you might just have to throw your support behind one of these receivers later in the draft.

1. Nico Collins, Michigan

The Eagles had a very particular method for drafting receivers last year, taking the Lightning McQueen approach and targeting speed. First-round pick Jalen Reagor, as well as later-round selections Tim Hightower and Quez Watkins, can all fly and add that deep threat element, but what the Eagles lack is a true X receiver. Travis Fulgham showed flashes of it last year but disappeared a bit after looking like the second coming of Deandre Hopkins for a four-game stretch.

If the Eagles wanted to find that true dominant X receiver, then Nico Collins would be a great option on day 2. Collins meets the eye test, his 6’4 height towering over cornerbacks. The tape shows Collins making tough contested catches routine when the ball was thrown accurately that is. He has really good straight-line speed, hitting a 4.45 40 yard dash at his pro day. He’s a tad bit raw as a route runner, though his releases are far more advanced than you’d expect, and his tape is hampered by atrocious quarterback play, but Nico Collins has the potential to be a star.

2. Josh Palmer, Tennessee

Sticking with the need at X receiver, Josh Palmer is another intriguing option. Palmer suffered from the same abysmal quarterback problems as Nico Collins, affecting his stats with the Volunteers. When the ball does find itself near Palmer, he does special things. He has some of the best body control in the class, able to make circus catches. His ability to make catches away from his body is truly special. At the Senior Bowl Palmer impressed mightily with his blend of route running and phenomenal hands. He’s another great X-type receiver that the Eagles could target on day two.

3. Cornell Powell, Clemson

Powell is a player that should go much higher than he probably will in the draft, and the Eagles should very much be the benefactors of drafting him. After being buried behind top-tier wide receiver talent at Clemson over the years, Powell finally broke out for Clemson this year, finishing as one of the hottest receivers in college football. In his final six games, Powell averaged over 120 yards a game and scored five touchdowns in that span. He was as good as anyone in college football down the stretch. 

Powell is a good athlete, testing solidly at his pro day. He is sufficient enough as an athlete to work off of his technique, and boy is his technique good. He isn’t going to blow you away athletically. He might not have a main athletic trait, but his main trait overall is just being a good football player. He’s smart, technical, gets open, and most importantly for Eagles fans, he catches the ball! He’s a bit reminiscent of Jason Avant and would be a great addition to the Eagles offense.

4. Simi Fehoko, Stanford/Jalen Camp, Georgia Tech/ Josh Imatorbhebhe, Illinois

I lump these three together because they both fall under the same category. All have high athletic upside, but both are heavy projects. Simi Fehoko doesn’t really know all of the intricacies that comes with the wide receiver position. He isn’t really a complete receiver by any means. He is an athletic freak though and was able to dominate at times his Senior year as a result. He’s big, fast, and has a freaky ceiling if he reaches it.

Jalen Camp and Josh Imatorbhebhe both are in the same mold of each other as players. Both are bigger X-type receivers, Camp standing a shade under 6’2 and Imatorbhebhe a shade under 6’1. Both have insane jumping ability, Imatorbhebhe’s 46.5 vertical jump would’ve broken the combine record this year if they held it. Both have to develop as receivers but the athletic upside is there to be scary steals on day three.

-By: Jacob Keppen

Writer