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It’s a make or break season for Rueben Randle with the Philadelphia Eagles

By Geoffrey Knox

Nov 8, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Rueben Randle (82) runs the ball in the first half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Rueben Randle (82) runs the ball in the first half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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If Philadelphia Eagles receiver Rueben Randle doesn’t get it done this year, his career may be over.

Let’s get two things straight right off the bat about Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Rueben Randle, and let’s do it all in one sentence. Number one, the Eagles signed him to a one-year deal, and number two, that deal is worth three million dollars.

Jun 9, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Rueben Randle (82) makes a catch during mini camp at NovaCare Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 9, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Rueben Randle (82) makes a catch during mini camp at NovaCare Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Both statements tell you everything that you need to know about how the Eagles feel about the former second round draft choice. They think enough about him to invest that amount of money into him, but they weren’t convinced enough about him to sign him to a long-term deal.

You could argue that the best receivers on this team play at the tight end and running back positions. Zach Ertz is a star in the making. Brent Celek has been an Eagle throughout his career, and there isn’t a fan of this team who isn’t okay with that.

We’ve heard about the ability to catch passes out of the backfield, the shiftiness and the play-making ability of the running backs. We’ve even heard about a fullback/tight end hybrid (Trey Burton) who is basically a lock to make this team. The only thing we know about the depth chart at the wide receiver position is Jordan Matthews probably has the number one slot locked up. Aside from that, every conversation is about the hope that this guy or that guy lives up to his potential and whether or not these guys can stop dropping easy catches.

Bryant McFadden provides a little more insight about the wide receiver position in this video:

Randle is the best hope this team has for a number two receiver. His best season with the New York Giants was last season as he hauled in 57 passes for 797 yards and eight touchdowns. Still they saw fit to let him go after four seasons.

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Sure, there were injuries, but there was some underachieving as well. The Eagles probably would have killed for another 797 yards and eight touchdowns last season. That’s probably what they hoped for from Nelson Agholor and didn’t get (that’s another story). Still, that was last year. The Eagles brought Randle in to be a difference maker at a position where they’re not sure if they have any.

No one can definitively state who’s going to line up at wide receiver at the number one and number two positions. Nobody knows who’s in the driver seat at the moment. Nobody even knows where Matthews is going to line up. Is he better suited to play on the outside? Is he better suited to play in the slot position? Based on the money they’ve paid him, you can argue the Eagles aren’t hoping for a big year from Randle. They’re expecting one. He’ll have to deliver. He may not get another opportunity.

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