The Eagles wide receiver group has been one of the more interesting groups of training camp so far.
They have dealt with injuries to nearly every player on the depth chart. They haven't had their projected starting three together for more than a handful of snaps. They have looked great at times. They have looked terrible at times.
So what should be made of the team's nine-man receiver unit?
Here is a look at each player and how they have looked so far:
DeVonta Smith
Catches: 8 (3 TDs)
Targets: 11
Analysis: Smith being week-to-week with a knee sprain is no small issue. The fact he will be missing time in training camp during his rookie year could set him back and impact how quickly he is able to help this offense. That being said, when healthy, Smith looks ready to contribute. The first-round pick has been as good as advertised, consistently getting open and catching nearly everything that hits his hands. Smith's speed is underrated as he has looked lighting quick heading down the sideline. As long as this injury doesn't set him back the expectation for Smith should be a clear role as the No. 1 receiver who gets 6-8 targets a game.
Jalen Reagor
Catches: 3
Targets: 4
Analysis: Reagor has gotten off to a slow start to camp after failing his physical. The second-year player has been dealing with an off-the-field personal tragedy, so his shaky start to camp is understandable. What has stood out about Reagor so far is how hard the team has to work to get him the ball. Reagor doesn't seem to beat his man one-on-one often to get open. Instead, the Eagles have had to get him the ball on short passes and jet-sweep type plays. Reagor can be dangerous in that role, but considering his was a first-round pick, the team has to hope he develops into more of a consistent, regular threat in the passing game instead of a gadget player.
Travis Fulgham
Catches: 5
Targets: 10 (1 drop)
Analysis: Fulgham seems to be the No. 3 receiver on the depth chart as he has been with the first team when Reagor was out, he was with the first team when Ward was out and has been with the first team now that Smith is out. Fulgham looks a little slimmer and faster than last year. The team has been trying to get him involved in the red zone to mixed results, as the five catches in 10 targets indicates. Fulgham is an important player for this unit as they desperately need a larger receiver to step up and earn snaps opposite Smith once he is healthy. Fulgham seems to be their best bet, but so far, the results haven't been great.
Greg Ward
Catches: 3
Targets: 4
Analysis: Like Reagor, Ward has seen the beginning of his camp delayed due to injury. Ward is back now and taking first-team reps, but he has also been with the second team just as much. The Eagles have been using him in the slot, but that could be because Smith is out and they have Reagor on the outside. The question is how the coaching staff would use Ward. He doesn't have elite speed, which isn't great for an offensive staff that seems obsessed with speed. He doesn't have elite height, which makes him tough to play with Smith and Reagor. Ward has the most career catches of the receivers on the roster, so cutting him would be risky, but one surprising takeaway from the first six practices is that it shouldn't be ruled out.
Quez Watkins
Catches: 5 (2 TDs)
Targets: 6
Analysis: There is a strong argument to be made that Watkins has been one of the biggest surprises of camp. He might only have five catches, but he has two touchdowns, including a 50-plus yard touchdown from Jalen Hurts in a team drill. Watkins has also looked impressive in one-on-one drills, where his improvement as a route runner and ability to win at the line-of-scrimmage has been on display. Add in those improvements with his elite speed and Watkins has the potential to be a big part of the offense this season.
J.J. Arcega-Whiteside
Catches: 6
Targets: 7
Analysis: Arcega-Whiteside hasn't been bad so far in training camp — but he hasn't stood out either. That being said, perhaps not being bad is a step in the right direction considering how his first two seasons have gone. Arcega-Whiteside hasn't made any spectacular or notable catches, but has done a nice job making the plays that have come his way. Arcega-Whiteside is likely to make the roster and be a backup at all three spots as the new coaching staff has had him taking snaps in the slot as well
John Hightower
Catches: 10
Targets: 13
Analysis: Head coach Nick Sirianni seems to have taken a special interest in Hightower. Not a practice goes by where Sirianni doesn't spend some time with Hightower or yell (good or bad) in his direction after a play. It is easy to see why as Hightower does have the speed to turn into a player that could really help Sirianni's offense. The second-year receiver made one of the best catches of camp, winning a 50-50 ball down the right sideline despite good coverage. There seems to still be too many small mistakes from Hightower, however. Hightower has a chance of making the roster but he is very much on the bubble.
Jhamon Ausbon
Catches: 9 (2 TDs)
Targets: 11
Analysis: Although they don't have any sure things on the roster, the Eagles actually don't have many spots up for grabs either — and that might be the only reason Ausbon doesn't make the team. Ausbon is having a good camp, making some impressive catches and producing during hiss reps with both the second-and-third option. Ausbon won't be making the team, but he has likely done enough already to earn a spot on the practice squad.
Michael Walker
Catches: 3
Targets: 7
Analysis: Walker had a good first few days of camp and briefly looked like he might have a chance to make the roster since the new coaching staff brought him in. He is currently sidelined with an injury, however, and hasn't done much with his seven targets. Walker could be a practice-squad option.
Andre Patton
Catches: 1
Targets: 1
Analysis: Patton was a late addition to camp and was only brought in due to injuries at the position. He faces a major uphill battle, but he does have a history with Sirianni and seems like he could be a good special teams player. Patton probably has a better chance of sneaking onto the roster than Walker or Ausbon, but he is still most likely heading to the practice squad.
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
