What Should Philadelphia Eagles Do About Maclin?

Oct 26, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (18) celebrates with fans after a 54 yard touchdown during the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The deadline to franchise or transition tag players passed at four o’clock on March 2nd. The rumor had been for a while now that the Philadelphia Eagles wanted to franchise tag wide receiver Jeremy Maclin to ensure that he does not depart via free agency.

They opted instead as an organization to show good faith that Maclin will want to re-sign with them and did not tag him. This could end up back firing if they can’t agree on a new contract and he leaves. What do the Eagles do if they can’t re-sign Maclin?

Jan 18, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) stiff arms Seattle Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane (20) during the first quarter in the NFC Championship Game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

There are only a couple of options to replace Maclin as a number one receiver for the Eagles in free agency this season. The first is Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb. Cobb is one of, if not the only, elite slot receiver in the NFL today. The issue is that the Eagles had the second best slot receiver in the NFL last season with wide receiver Jordan Matthews.

If the Eagles were to sign Cobb, which is unlikely. but not impossible, then I could see Matthews moving to the outside where he played in college to make a very good one-two punch. Cobb would probably be more expensive than Maclin so I can’t see the Eagles choosing him over Maclin, but crazier things have happened.

Dec 28, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) catches a long pass to set up a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

The other option as a number one receiver which could very likely happen is Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith. Smith can do it all, and would be a very solid and probably equivalent replacement to Jeremy Maclin. He will also be less expensive and if it were not for the chemistry that Maclin already has with quarterback Nick Foles, I would probably rather have Smith due to him being cheaper.

If the Eagles could not land a number one receiver this offseason through free agency, a backup plan could be to sign two number two receivers to put with Jordan Matthews. Options here include signing any two of the following receivers: San Francisco 49ers receiver Michael Crabtree, Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Cecil Shorts III, Atlanta Falcons receiver Harry Douglas, Miami Dolphins receiver Brian Hartline, and St. Louis Rams receiver Kenny Britt. Wide receivers Andre Johnson of the Houston Texans and Mike Wallace of Miami Dolphins are both available as well, and could be gotten for a late round pick or may even end up being cut by their teams.

Nov 28, 2014; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Jaelen Strong (21) against the Arizona Wildcats during the 88th annual territorial cup at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The final option is if the Eagles opt to go after a receiver in the draft. In the first round the obvious choices are Louisville’s DeVante Parker, West Virginia’s Kevin White and Alabama’s Amari Cooper, but none of these receivers should be available at the twentieth pick. At the twentieth pick the Eagles could grab Arizona State’s Jaelen Strong (who is from Philly); Missouri/Indiana’s Dorial Green-Beckham; or even Ohio State’s Devin Smith.

Hopefully none of this will matter because the Eagles will be able to retain fan favorite Maclin. Despite his past injury issues his re-signing should be one of if not the top priority for the Eagles before March 10th.

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