Writer: Kevin Durso
Scouting Report: Josh Huff, WR
I have been writing for Sports Talk Philly since 2011. Currently editor and lead writer of Philadelphia Flyers coverage. Co-host of the YWT Podcast. I also am Flyers insider for 97.3 ESPN-FM in South Jersey. I graduated from Cabrini University in 2014.
All posts by Kevin DursoPublished09 May 2014
The Eagles turned two third-round picks into two more future picks, getting their fourth-round pick back after trading their own to move up in the second round and an additional fifth-round pick. That pick went to Houston at 83.
With the 86th pick, the Eagles selected a familiar face for head coach Chip Kelly. Josh Huff, a 5'11", 205-pound wide receiver out of Oregon, was selected as yet another offensive weapon.
He is certainly an unfamiliar name and much like the Eagles first pick at 26, wasn't necessarily a player on the radar for many fans. With that, here is a scouting report on the newest Eagles receiver.
Huff is very different from the receiver the Eagles took in the second round. Unlike Jordan Matthews, Huff doesn't have the same size, proving to be more of a small speed receiver. Another player who could fit into the slot well, Huff doesn't have the route-running ability that Matthews does.
It seems that Huff will be a short-route receiver, somebody the Eagles can throw the ball to on a quick route and have him do the work spreading the field. He doesn't have explosiveness from the line and isn't much of a speed threat on deep routes, but his motions are good.
He also brings special teams experience into the picture, another things that drew him to the Eagles. He has the ability to make things happen in the open field, plays physical and blocks well.
His size is a concern in terms of receiving ability. He won't go up for a ball and doesn't have good leaping ability.
If anything, look for Huff to be a possible return man and a short-route receiver who is expected to be dynamic on screen plays and make things happen himself.
Despite some positive features, the Eagles possibly reached again, as Huff was a projected fifth or sixth round pick according to most draft boards.
Ultimately, this was a Chip Kelly pick. He gets one of his former college players who wants to be coached and has a lot of room to grow. But it sounds like there is a lot of improvement needed and as a third-round pick, that's a scary thought.
Kevin Durso is a contributor for Eagledelphia. Follow him on twitter @KDursoPhilsNet.
