The Eagles have been linked to receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster for weeks, and with legal tampering beginning on Monday, they are once again being tied to the slot receiver.
According to NFL Insider Jordan Schultz the Eagles and the Jacksonville Jaguars are “darkhorse” teams to sign Smith-Schuster once free agency officially begins on Wednesday.
If true, this is not the first time the Eagles will have made a run at trying to Smith-Schuster, as they reportedly offered him a contract prior to last season before he decided to return to Pittsburgh.
Smith-Schuster’s year in Pittsburgh did not go to plan, however, as a shoulder injury limited him to playing in only five games. He caught 15 passes for 129 yards and no touchdowns in the limited action he did see last season.
Smith-Schuster checks off a few boxes for what the Eagles are likely looking for at receiver. First, he is only 25-years old, so there is an argument to be made his best days are still ahead of him. Second, he has shown he can dominate in the slot, meaning the Eagles could keep Quez Watkins on the outside opposite Devonta Smith. Finally, because he is coming off of a down year, he is unlikely to command a big deal — making him a low-risk, high-upside move.
But while he does check some key boxes, the reality is that the signing of Smith-Schuster wouldn’t check the biggest box the team needs at receiver. The Eagles need a big-body, legit, dependable outside receiver to play opposite Smith. Players like Amari Cooper or Mike Williams would have checked that box. A player like DJ Chark could potentially check that box. Smith-Schuster does not.
If the money is cheap and doesn’t impact the Eagles making other moves, bringing in Smith-Schuster could end up helping the passing game.
As the only move at receiver, however, Smith-Schuster doesn’t seem like the answer to the Eagles’ needs.
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com
