4 ways Eagles can avoid disaster during 2022 NFL offseason

J.J. Arcega-Whiteside #19, Philadelphia Eagles (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
J.J. Arcega-Whiteside #19, Philadelphia Eagles (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /
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J.J. Arcega-Whiteside #19, Greg Ward #84, Philadelphia Eagles
J.J. Arcega-Whiteside #19, Greg Ward #84, Philadelphia Eagles (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

The Eagles can’t extend the JJ Arcega-Whiteside/Derek Barnett experiments.

When the Philadelphia Eagles selected JJ Arcega-Whiteside 57th-overall, during Round 2 of the 2019 NFL Draft, we were told that he was the second coming of one of his idols in the National Football League at that time… Alshon Jeffery. How cool it must have been for this young man to walk into the NovaCare Compex knowing that Alshon would now be his teammate.

It’s been almost three years since JJAW was drafted. We’ve been reminded over and over that he shares none of the traits that helped make Alshon successful.

J.J.’s hauled in 16 receptions for 290 yards for his career. He’s done nothing to prove that he was ever worthy of the faith the Eagles placed in him. The same can be said about Derek Barnett.

Derek was a first-rounder, the 14th-overall selection in the 2017 NFL Draft. He entered the league with more expectations. Like Arcega-Whiteside, he’s more often talked about for what he didn’t do than he did.

Somehow, Barnett was voted onto the Pro Football Writers of America’s All-Rookie Team in 2017, and looking back, it’s hard to remember much that he did to deem himself worthy. Here we stand, leaving February and entering March of the 2022 calendar year, and there’s one word that accurately describes both players… bust.

Derek Barnett’s rookie deal has expired. J.J. has one year left on his first NFL contract. The experiments are over. There’s no reason for either man to be a member of the Philadelphia Eagles organization in 2022. All they’re doing is occupying a roster spot that should belong to someone else.