The Eagles are going to be making other moves at wide receiver. They will be drafting one, likely in the first round. They will probably sign one. They might even trade for one.
While anything is possible, however, chances are that outside of a rookie receiver in the first round, it would be surprising if any big-time move was made at the position. The Eagles have decided to invest big money in other positions, and have passed on making big trades for elite receivers.
Which is why even though there are still five months before training camp, one thing is becoming clear — the Eagles really need DeSean Jackson to bounce-back in 2020.
"DeSean is a guy who is incredibly motived to show our city and to show our fans how important it is for him to win and to show the skill level we know he still has in his body," general manager Howie Roseman said recently on the team's website. "It is incredibly unfortunate what happened to him. He played in that first game at a superstar level."
Roseman is right — Jackson was a superstar in Week 1 last season and showed why he is a Hall-of-Fame level talent. When healthy he is exactly what the offense needs, and in terms of pure talent, he is better than options like Robby Anderson and Breshad Perriman.
The issue is Week 1 was the only time last season Jackson made an impact. A core-muscle injury Jackson suffered in Week 2 sidelined him for basically the rest of the season, taking away the team's best receiver before the season really even got started.
An encouraging way to look at last season is that it was the first time in his career Jackson has missed significant time. While he has played 16 games only twice, Jackson has played double-digit games in 11 of his 12 seasons. He has been fairly durable throughout his career, considering he is a 5-foot-10, 175 pound receiver. Betting on Jackson last season made sense, even if it did ultimately backfire.
Moving forward, however, it is fair to wonder if Jackson will be able to stay on the field.
Jackson is 33-years old and will turn 34 on December 1st. It isn't often that a player gets healthier as his career goes on. Over the last four seasons Jackson has gone from playing 15 games in 2016, 14 games in 2017, 12 games in 2018 and just three (but really only one) in 2019. That is a trend heading in the wrong direction and it is a concerning one heading into next season.
It is trend the Eagles seem to think they can change.
"For us, with our new training staff, with our new strength staff, I think we have a good play for DeSean and how to maximize his potential and his difference making ability," Roseman said. "I know he is working right now. At the end of the season he was in our building working when he could be, working hard, he has a chip on his shoulder and obviously we are big fans of his and his talent level."
Ultimately, despite the attention it is getting, what the Eagles do with Alshon Jeffery doesn't really matter. Chances are he isn't on the team next year, but if he is, the chances he is counted on to play a meaningful role feel slim. The question with Jeffery is more about cap space as opposed to having to count on him in 2020.
That isn't the case with Jackson. It might not have been their plan at the beginning of free agency, but now unless they can pull off a trade, the Eagles seem set to go into the season with Jackson at the top of the depth chart and as the go-to veteran at the position. If Jackson stays healthy, and the Eagles hit on their rookie receiver, it is a plan that could end up working when combined with elite tight ends, Miles Sanders, a strong offensive line and Carson Wentz at quarterback.
It is a risky move, and one that has plenty of upside if Jackson can stay healthy. But it is also one that could backfire exactly like it did 2019 if Jackson continues to struggle to stay on the field and the Eagles don't have a far better backup plan this time around.
You can follow Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
