Alshon Jeffery is leaning toward choosing the Eagles when free agency starts, Josina Anderson of ESPN.com tweets. At last check, both the Colts and Eagles were making “strong pushes” to sign the wide receiver. Now, he could be Philly bound, leaving the Colts and Bears to look elsewhere.
The Eagles found a deep threat receiver on Thursday morning when they agreed to sign Torrey Smith. After that, we got word that they were easing up on their pursuit of a Brandin Cooks trade. Ultimately, a Cooks trade would have cost the Eagles a boatload of draft compensation on top of having to work out a new deal with Cooks at some point in the next two years. If they can sign Jeffery and Smith, they will have given two serious weapons to Carson Wentz without hurting their draft situation.
Remaining in these wideout pursuits despite having one of the worst cap situations in the league, the Eagles would be in a better place offensively by signing Jeffery. With the Bears in 2013 and ’14, the big target surpassed 1,100 yards — going for 1,421 in a Pro Bowl ’13 slate — before injuries and a suspension limited him the past two seasons.
Jeffery rated as PFR’s No. 2 overall free agent. The Eagles showed interest in DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, Kenny Stills and Kenny Britt. By adding Smith and Jeffery, they could possibly put Jordan Matthews in the slot full-time and have a layered passing attack, one that also includes Zach Ertz.
They have 0 cap space makes no sense
Last time I looked they have like 10/11 million after dumping connors and after smith signing
But they already signed Smith and have other needs, Jeffery has yet to post number 1 Receiver stats. Why not spend that money on other positions, and draft one of the top WR in the first round theyll likely have their choice
What about this move doesn’t make sense? Through either trades or releases (Mathews, Sproles, Smith, Kendricks, etc.) they can clear upwards of $20M+ in cap space. Adding Smith and Jefferies takes them from having almost nothing in receiving to having a plus receiving corps. Then figuring the draft is loaded with CBs, RBs, etc., the Eagles can make an impact there and completely boast the team. Nothing not to like about adding Jefferies. He’s the type of receiver the Eagles haven’t had since Owens.
yet to post number 1 receiver stats? what do you consider number one receiving stats? he was 6th in the league in rec yards in ’13. During his two full seasons (’13-’14) he had over 2,500 yds and 17 tds. Over that span, only four receivers had more yards, and only six had more TDs. Not to mention, in ’15, before his injury, he had over 800 yds thru 9 games (on pace for over 1,500 yds).
I’m not going to say overpaying him doesn’t come with some risk due to his past suspension, debatable injury history, and slight drop off in ’16, but suggesting that he hasn’t put up #1 WR numbers begs the question: “what the hell are you smokin’?”
They can just back load the contract
Why would Jeffery do that? Guys want their money up front. Non-guaranteed money on the backend has a lower chance of being collected.
Best defensive draft ever.. means sign offensive free agents and draft defense.. why would you want to draft a wr in round 1 when we have 0 corners. It doesn’t matter if alshon is a quote 1.. these are weapons and will help wentz.. if we don’t go corner edge corner in the draft something is wrong
The only bad thing for Wentz is if they sign Alshon he will not have a built in excuse like he did this year for his mediocre Quarterbacking.
He was a rookie, you tool.
I’m way more patient with rookies than almost anybody and am very realistic with my expectations of players especially young guys. I’m a Bears fan so I’m an eternal optimist and in my opinion he is no average QB and always will be
*no more than*
I have a feeling it’s not for as big of money as everyone is expecting. Every contract is essentially 2-3 years anymore. Hardly crushing to any team. Good get for Philly if true.