Not since the days of DeSean Jackson have the Philadelphia Eagles deployed an electrifying deep threat whose mere presence threatens to take the top off a defense on any given play.
When Jackson wasn't racing deep to find paydirt for those Eagles squads - until he was egregiously ushered out of town by Chip Kelly - he was opening up prime real estate for teammates at all times. The deadly deep routes and the looming home run threat that defenders had to constantly safeguard against cleared out tons of space for short and intermediate action in the passing game - something this current offensive group could clearly use.
Heading into this year's draft, a true burner who could provide that missing element is Brenen Thompson. Jeff Bell of footballguys.com broke down the skill set of the dangerous wideout:
"Thompson is an elite athlete who earned a spot on Bruce Feldman's annual Freaks List. He has reportedly reached 23 MPH in games and is projected to run a 4.29 40-yard dash, putting him among the fastest players in the class. Thompson did most of his work in the vertical passing game or in schemed opportunities to allow him to create in space. That said, he showcased a well-rounded game, contributing in the intermediate area as the primary receiver. Thompson's size likely limits his overall upside, but he can be a meaningful contributor."
Brenen Thompson could be a difference maker for Eagles
A former high school track state champion (projected 4.29 40-yard time), the 5-foot-9, 170-pound Thompson first suited up for the Texas Longhorns before transferring to the University of Oklahoma for two years. When his OC, Jeffy Libby, left the Sooners' program for Mississippi State, Thompson followed suit. With a bigger emphasis on maximizing his skill set during his final collegiate campaign, the Lone Star State native erupted.
Thompson shattered the Bulldogs school record for receiving yards (1,504) in 2025, leading the entire SEC in the process. His lofty 18.5 yards per reception reflects the fact that any time he touches the rock, electricity is in the air.
It's worth noting that the Eagles' new offensive coordinator, Sean Mannion, comes from a system that values both a true deep threat and a diverse passing attack that spreads targets around. In last year's draft, Green Bay opted for elite speed with their top pick, selecting another Texan with speed in spades in Matthew Golden (4.29 40-yard dash). Green Bay's offense fired on all cylinders when multiple wideouts were in the mix, a far cry from the massive reliance the Eagles have had for years now on just A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith out wide.
Read more: Howie Roseman would pull another draft heist for Eagles if he selected SEC CB
With most mock drafts projecting Thompson to go in the third-round vicinity, the wideout will be an enticing option for Philadelphia to consider. Jahan Dotson is all but gone, while the end result of the ongoing Brown drama remains to be seen. A prime opportunity to add new blood at the position is approaching, and a weapon with true home run potential out wide might be too tempting to pass up.