Saying the Philadelphia Eagles have struggled to find some consistency at wide receiver would be an understatement. As fans, we want consistency and good. That’s all. The last time an Eagles wideout posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, Trent Cole led the team in sacks, and training camp was still being held at Lehigh University. That’s right, DeSean Jackson (2009 and 2010) was the last player to accomplish this feat.
While part of this problem for Philly has been the result of bad and inconsistent coaching and less-than-desirable quarterback play, a lion’s share of the blame can be heaped on Howie Roseman and the Eagles front office.
In 2019, the team selected JJ Arcega-Whiteside when both DK Metcalf and Terry McLaurin were still on the board. This year, the outrage came from drafting Jalen Reagor over rookie sensation Justin Jefferson who hauled in 88 receptions for 1,400 yards in 2020 for the Minnesota Vikings.
There’s a bright side, however. Believe it or not, the Philadelphia Eagles, somehow and someway, can still right their wrongs.
The Philadelphia Eagles will have to rewrite history if they want a WR.
The Eagles hold the sixth overall pick during the 2021 NFL Draft, so they’ll likely have the opportunity to land a top-tier wideout such as Ja’Marr Chase or DeVonta Smith. But that doesn’t necessarily mean they will end up going that route.
Below is a list of teams that have drafted a wide receiver in the first round over the past 15 years.
- 2005: Cleveland / Minnesota / Detroit / Jacksonville / Baltimore / Atlanta
- 2006: Pittsburgh
- 2007: Detroit / Miami / Kansas City / New Orleans / San Diego / Indianapolis
- 2008: No one
- 2009: Oakland / San Francisco / Philadelphia / Minnesota / NY Giants / Tennessee
- 2010: Denver / Dallas
- 2011: Cincinnati / Atlanta / Kansas City
- 2012: Jacksonville / Arizona / Tennessee / San Fran
- 2013: Saint Louis / Houston / Minnesota
- 2014: Buffalo / Tampa Bay / Giants / New Orleans / Carolina
- 2015: Oakland / Chicago / Miami / Philly / Baltimore / Indy
- 2016: Cleveland / Houston / Washington / Minnesota
- 2017: Tennessee / L.A. Chargers / Cincy
- 2018: Carolina / Atlanta
- 2019: Baltimore / New England
- 2020: Las Vegas / Denver / Dallas / Philly / Minnesota / San Fran
Did you notice the trend?
There isn’t a single organization that has drafted a wideout in the first round in back-to-back seasons. This won’t bode well for Eagles fans who want another one as they’ve already seen what happens when a quarterback is surrounded by minimal talent.
So, what might this mean for Philadelphia Eagles?
Considering the number of holes on this team, the Eagles could go in several different directions. They could draft a tight end, Kyle Pitts, out of Florida as a potential replacement for Zach Ertz, who looks to be on his way out of Philadelphia. It’s also possible they look at players such as linebacker Micah Parsons or cornerback Patrick Surtain II to help out on the defensive side of the ball.
Then again, they could defy the odds and finally draft that number-one wide receiver. All trends usually come to an end at some point in time. Philly could take a wideout for a second-consecutive season, or they can draft a linebacker (Parsons) in the first round for the first time since they took Jerry Robinson back in 1979. The plot is continuing to thicken in the City of Brotherly Love.