As expected, the Philadelphia Eagles moved on from A.J. Brown as soon as it became financially feasible on June 1. However, the disgruntled star wide receiver's departure to the New England Patriots answered one massive question only to raise another: who will fill his shoes?
Can the Eagles' new leader of the pack, DeVonta Smith, ascend to the heights many believe he's capable of? Does first-round rookie Makai Lemon, formerly of USC, grow up fast to be an immediate difference-maker? Those appear to be the most likely outcomes, though Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer threw another — more surprising — name in the ring: Dontayvion Wicks.
Breer ostensibly sees Wicks as a critical part of Philadelphia's post-Brown plans, which, frankly, sounds like a fruitless endeavor.
"I'll continue to say that I wouldn't sleep on Dontayvion Wicks as a key piece to the Eagles' puzzle to replace A.J. Brown," Breer wrote. "Talent was never his issue in Green Bay."
NFL insider suggests Dontayvion Wicks could be crucial to the Eagles replacing A.J. Brown
For years, folks have argued that Smith would be a No. 1 option on plenty of teams. Now he'll finally get the chance to show it sans Brown, and Breer's talking about Wicks? It's an interesting perspective from the NFL insider, to say the least.
By the sound of it, Breer thinks Wicks will benefit from a change of scenery. The 2023 fifth-round pick wasn't a priority in a crowded receiver room during his time with the Green Bay Packers.
Nevertheless, the chasm between taking advantage of increased opportunity and reaching Brown's status as a perennial All-Pro threat is being overlooked. Few have been as productive as him upon entering the league in 2019, and specifically since his arrival in Philly. There are levels to football, and he and Wicks are on completely different planes.
Statistically speaking, Wicks was one of the least efficient players at his position last season. 122 wideouts drew at least 25 targets, including the playoffs, with him being among the bunch. Here's where he ranked in the following categories, courtesy of Pro Football Focus:
- 66th in yards per route run (1.39)
- Tied for 77th in passer rating when targeted (86.6)
- 88th in drop percentage (9.1)
- Tied for 110th in yards after catch per reception (2.3)
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Perhaps Breer concluded that the numbers don't do the eye test justice, or that we've yet to see the best version of Wicks. That's fine, but no one should expect the ex-Packer to be Philadelphia's short-term Brown successor, let alone a solution for the long haul.
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