Considering the emphasis the team has placed on speed this offseason, it is easy to lump every receiver they have added into one category — an attempt to find a reliable deep threat for quarterback Carson Wentz.
There is some obvious some truth to that. The Eagles have taken as many swings as possible, hoping one hits. It was a wise move, considering how badly their offense is in need of a deep threat.
Rookie receiver John Hightower certainly has the speed to fall into that mix. But a closer look at his game shows that the 6-foot-1 receiver can develop into much more than that for the Eagles — and is working this offseason to be ready to line up where the coaches ask him.
"Just learning everything at every position right now," Hightower said. "It doesn't matter to me."
Hightower was one of the most versatile players on offense during his time at Boise State. He lined up at outside receiver. He lined up at slot receiver about a quarter of the time in his career. He carried the ball, he returned kicks, and yes, he even lined up at quarterback.
"It came from me knowing all the plays and being able to move around to different positions. That definitely was one of the factors," Hightower said of why he was used in so many different ways. "Being versatile definitely helps my game, because I can play outside, I can play inside, I took a couple snaps at quarterback."
Overall, Hightower touched the ball on 67 plays in 14 games last season. He totaled 51 catches for 943 yards with eight touchdowns, and carried the ball 16 times for 154 yards. He displayed big-play ability, averaging 18.5 yards-per-catch, and almost 10-yards per carry.
That big-play ability was also clear in the kicking game. Hightower returned 26 kicks last season for an average of 24.6 yards-per-return, including one for a touchdown. Hightower has been one of the returners in the special teams meetings this offseason, and considering the lack of options the team has at returner, has a chance to win the job.
Hightower's versatility, especially considering he has had success retuning kicks, could give him an advantage over the other receivers trying to make the team. Special teams is always a great way for a bubble player to lock down a spot, and the Eagles really value versatility at receiver.
Boise State asking Hightower to play so many different roles required him to not only work on all aspects of his game, but to also learn what everyone else on the offense was doing, and helped him become more of a complete receiver.
"My route running, reading coverages, being intelligent on the field," Hightower said of what he viewed as the strengths of his game. "Not only knowing what I got, but what the person next to me got. Playing with speed."
That last part, of course, is crucial. Hightower's versatility is important, but with the emphasis the team is placing on speed, the fact he ran a 4.43 at the NFL Combine will certainly help. Only four players (regardless of position) that measured in at 6-foot-1 or taller ran a quicker 40-time that Hightower, giving him a good combination of speed and size.
"Definitely having speed. Pressing, beating them off the line, stacking them and then finishing the play at the end of the play," Hightower said of what makes a player a good deep threat. "You can get open as much as you want to, but you still have to catch the ball, once it gets down to it. Great hands makes you a valuable deep threat."
Hightower enters training camp later this month with a good chance of making the team, but still having to battle for a roster spot.
The team will keep anywhere from five-to-six receivers. Three players are locks heading in — DeSean Jackson, Reagor and Arcega-Whiteside. Alshon Jeffery is a wild card since it is possible he starts the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list due to his foot injury. That likely leaves two-to-three spots for players like Hightower, Quez Watkins, Greg Ward and Marquise Goodwin, with Deontay Burnett and Shelton Gibson also having a shot at making the time.
One advantage Hightower has over all of them is his versatility. Something both he and the Eagles are hoping will not just result in a roster spot for Hightower, but to him finding a way to help the team.
"I am going to go out on the field," Hightower said, "and do my thing."
You can follow Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
