Eagles Face A Wide Receiver Conundrum

The Eagles have questions to address regarding their stable wide receivers (Image via Eagledelphia.com).

The Eagles have an issue with their wide receivers: They may not have any.

Pro Bowler DeSean Jackson enters the third year of his five-year pact and wants more money. Jason Avant has a one million dollar roster bonus due on March 15^th, and his Eagles tenure could be over if the Eagles do not pay the bonus.

Then there is the matter of their unrestricted free agents, Jeremy Maclin and Riley Cooper. Maclin was out for the year due to a torn ACL, the second such injury he has had since college. Cooper filled in admirably and posted career highs across the board in receptions (47), yards (835) and touchdowns (8). But what happens now when both receivers are free agents?

The Eagles have a decision to make regarding the duo. In Maclin, the Birds have a playmaker that was on the verge of becoming a star in the NFL. The former first-round pick could now be considered an injury risk, as he has missed 21 games in his five seasons. Only once has Maclin played a full season. When he did, the Missouri standout recorded career highs in receptions (70), yards (964), and touchdowns (10). During his short career, and when on the field, Maclin has been a model of consistency, averaging 64 catches a year, with his lowest output in his rookie year, where he only caught 56 balls.

Cooper on the other hand, has not had the consistency of Maclin. Without an injury to the fifth-year receiver, Cooper would not have had an opportunity to rise up the wide receiver rankings. The former fourth-round pick had just 46 receptions for 679 yards and five touchdowns entering this year. The Florida alumnus picked an excellent time for a breakout season.

So what do the Eagles do?  Birds’ general manager Howie Roseman has said that he would like to re-sign both wide outs, but also indicted that he would be “careful” in free agency. Reading into Roseman’s words, he may not willing to “break the bank” for either receiver.

Maclin had previously indicated that he wanted to return to Philadelphia and was willing to accept a one-year “prove-it” contract. But reports from the New York Post have said that the Jets were very interesting in bringing in the talented, but injured receiver. Would the Eagles be willing to give Maclin a multi-year deal? Or would Maclin give the Birds an opportunity to match whatever contract offer he was given?

There is no denying the talent that the Missouri native has, but the Eagles must justify the price of re-signing a potentially injury-prone wide out with two ACL surgeries.

Meanwhile, there sits Riley Cooper, who almost did not have a team this season because of a boneheaded mistake made at a concert. The big wide out worked to make amends with teammates and used his connection with Nick Foles while both were second stringers to make himself more marketable. Following the Eagles sticking by Cooper during his ill-advised mistake, will Cooper in turn reward the team with a “hometown discount” for the loyalty they showed?

Both veteran receivers would play important roles on the 2014 Eagles team and beyond. Prior to gaining the starting job, Cooper was known as a valuable special-teamer, and upon his return, could again reprise that role. Maclin could be poised for a slot position possibly vacated by Avant, in which his production could skyrocket as part of Chip Kelly’s innovative and dynamic offensive scheme. After seeing all the strides that Cooper made, Maclin could be on his way to stardom in this offense.

What is all comes down to, as always, is dollars and cents. The Eagles will attempt to sign both men, but only if it works financially. With a strong crop of wide receivers coming out in the NFL draft, it would not be a surprise to see one or both veteran receivers on new teams.

The Eagles are in a conundrum. With DeSean Jackson, the Eagles have a playmaker that often attracts double coverage. Whoever lines up opposite Jackson will receiver plenty of opportunities to make plays. Whether that is Maclin, Cooper, or someone unknown at this point, the Eagles need to make a move. Right now, the only certainty within the Eagles organization is that they need help at the wide receiver position.

 Hal Greenblatt covers the Eagles for Eagledelphia. Follow him on Twitter: @HMGreenblatt