3 Reasons Philadelphia Eagles’ addition of Mike Wallace was wise
Wide receiver Mike Wallace’s addition to the Philadelphia Eagles makes more sense each time you say it.
Once again, the Philadelphia Eagles have made a roster move. Once again, executive vice president of football operations Howie Roseman didn’t tip his cap and managed to keep the Eagles’ plans out of the headlines, and once again, the Eagles threw us a curve ball. On March 22nd, Philly added veteran wide receiver Mike Wallace to an already stellar crop of receiving targets for Carson Wentz (and or Nick Foles).
This is a move that makes sense, both intellectually and in terms of ‘dollars and cents’. Here’s how:
Here’s the argument.
1. If he’s at his best, he’s still pretty darn good, and he was the safest option for ‘The Birds’.
Despite inconsistent play (this guy’s got some issues with his hands), Wallace was the most productive of the Baltimore Ravens over the last two seasons. He started all 31 games he played in, registered 124 receptions and racked up 1,765 yards. He also reached the end zone eight times. Add to that the six rushing attempts he had for a total of 35 yards. That might raise Eagles head coach Doug Pederson‘s antenna a little.
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With guys like Michael Crabtree being both too expensive and off of the market, Philly was left to fish in the free agency pool for less expensive fish like Terrelle Pryor who’s also coming off of a disappointing campaign with the Washington Redskins, and former Eagles receiver Jeremy Maclin, who shared the field with Wallace in Baltimore.
We’ll say it again. Wallace was probably the best of those second-tier free agents at the wide receiver position. This is a safe move for Philly.
2. He’s potentially an upgrade from Torrey Smith and saves the team some money.
Wallace won’t have to do much to equal or surpass the 36 receptions, 430 yards and two touchdowns Torrey Smith put up in 2017’s regular season. He’s also less expensive. By trading Smith, the Eagles added a cornerback, Daryl Worley, and they freed up money they could use elsewhere. Some of said money enabled them to bring a veteran of Wallace’s caliber into the fold.
One very reliable source agrees with that theory.
Take a look:
The Eagles basically traded Torrey Smith for Daryl Worley, Mike Wallace and almost $2 million in cap space. And I’d rather have Wallace straight up.
— Gregg Rosenthal (@greggrosenthal) March 22, 2018
3. The Eagles can address other areas of need in the draft and take a wide receiver in later rounds.
Wallace won’t feel a ton of pressure in 2018 beacuse he’ll have a bona fide number one receiver on the other side of the Eagles’ line. That’s Alshon Jeffery for the uninitiated. In addition to that, there’s Nelson Agholor in the slot (let’s hope that’s where they keep him) and a potential breakout star in Mack Hollins waiting in the wings. The Eagles also have Shelton Gibson. No one knows if he’s ready to take the next step, but the team’s excited about him. All of this should lead us to a theory.
Next: 4 RBs the Eagles have targeted for the 2018 NFL Draft
If Philly does, indeed, address the wide receiver position in the 2018 NFL Draft, they can do so in later rounds. Some were toying with the idea of them taking one at pick 32.