Mike Williams Should Not Be Drafted By The Eagles

By Matt Giraldi | Jan 22, 2017

Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver Mike Williams (7) catches a pass between Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Marlon Humphrey (26) and defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick (29) in the 207 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bart Boatwright/The Greenville News via USA TODAY Sports /

The lack of talent at wide receiver makes Clemson wide receiver Mike Williams a popular target for the Philadelphia Eagles in the upcoming NFL Draft. Unfortunately history suggests the Eagles go a different route.

I might be one of the biggest skeptics of the Philadelphia Eagles’ wide receiver corps. Jordan Matthews is perhaps the best of bunch, which isn’t saying a whole lot. After Matthews, there really isn’t much left. Dorial Green-Beckham and Nelson Agholor have failed to make an impression early in their careers. Paul Turner and Bryce Treggs have a lot of learning to do. As a result, it’s easy to see why Mike Williams has become a very popular name in Philadelphia.

Wide receivers are rapidly becoming the lifeblood of successful NFL franchises. While quarterbacks are always going to be the “franchise player”, a game-changing receiver can make an offense great. For instance: Antonio Brown, Jordy Nelson and Julian Edelman all were in the top five for receptions. All three receivers had at least 150 targets as well.

More from Eagles Draft

The 150 target plateau for an Eagles wide receiver is rare. In fact, Irving Fryar is the only player to ever accomplish the feat. Williams might or might not be capable of that type of production.

Throughout his time at Clemson, Williams was a focal point for quarterback Deshaun Watson. His size, catch radius, athleticism and speed are all that of a prototypical number one receiver. Williams has also had his fair share of drops. Just what the Eagles need…another wide receiver who can’t catch the ball.

Perhaps the biggest concern of mine is not Williams’ inability to consistently catch the football, but the neck injury that he suffered against Wofford in 2015. Given the recent early retirement of Baltimore Ravens’ linebacker Zach Orr due to a congenital spine condition, do the Eagles really want to risk drafting a player that suffered a small neck fracture?

Next: 15 Offensive Linemen The Eagles Should Look At

The NFL has found itself losing young players at an alarming rate over the past few seasons. The Eagles can ill-afford drafting a player at the top half of the draft who might leave the game on his own volition (or worse, due to a career-ending injury). Williams has immense talent. That is undeniable. With his injury history however, it’s simply too much risk.

Wide receiver is a major need for the Eagles. This is not a team solely lacking help at one position however. As great as Williams could be in the NFL, I would prefer the team go in a different direction with their first round pick. There are plenty of pro-ready receivers that will be available in the middle rounds for the Eagles to take a chance on. Finally, for what it’s worth, Brown and Edelman were drafted with the 195th and 232nd picks, respectively.

Home/Eagles Draft