Jordan Matthews will try to lead the Philadelphia Eagles from the slot
Number one wide receiver Jordan Mathews will attempt to lead the Eagles from the slot position in the new offense.
New Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson experimented with Jordan Matthews on the outside position during OTA’s. He didn’t like what he saw. Matthews was moved back inside to the slot position where he spent most of his snaps last season under the former head coach. Actually, 90% of the routes he ran were from the slot, and he only played in 79% of plays that were run due to his inability to play on the outside. He was also left out of most of the two receiver formations
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The new west coast hybrid offense will show various three wide formations, and Matthews may have to prove he can handle the responsibility if he wants to be on the outside. Last year, the Eagles were at the top of the league in terms of the number of offensive plays run, and Pederson and the Kansas City Chiefs were nearly last. Still, you probably shouldn’t expect to see Matthews in as many snaps this year. Remember he dropped nine out of 94 catchable balls. That’s almost ten percent.
He improved as the season progressed last season, maybe due to forming a connection with quarterback Sam Bradford, who will be returning for his second season with the team. Both spent time together this off season in Oklahoma bonding and working on chemistry. Hopefully, it works out for both of them. Bradford, Mathews and much of the offensive unit spent fourth of July together in San Diego, and they plan on working out together before Eagles camp officially starts at the end of the month.
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The extra time with Bradford will fix the drops, but that doesn’t mean he has the ability to play on the outside. He may not have to. He could be just as productive taking the majority of his snaps on the inside.
If that happens, the Eagles won’t be the only team with a number one receiver taking most of thier snaps from the slot position. Randall Cobb, Julian Edelman, Larry Fitzgerald and Doug Baldwin could all end up at the top of the depth chart on their respective teams, and their production hasn’t and probably won’t slip playing the majority of snaps from the slot position.
If Pederson wants Matthews to spend the majority of his time in the slot and use his large frame in space to create an advantage, no one will complain. He’s proven he can be productive, and with another year of experience under his belt, expect Matthews to have a 1000 yard season.