Carson Wentz was dealt an abysmal WRs corps in 2019.
He ranked third in lost fantasy points from drops, as the Eagles led the NFL in “accurate deep incompletions.” Only four times all year did a WR led the Eagles in weekly rec. yards (23%). Wentz targeted his WRs on a league-low 42% of his throws. The abysmally slow unit ranked dead last in yards per attempt (6.5). By the end of the season, a creature named Greg Ward, a converted QB, was Wentz’s lone trusted WR.
Even still, Wentz somehow finished as the QB9 in total fantasy points.
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He was a Top-12 QB in 62% of his games, fell outside the top 20 weekly scorers only once, and somehow managed 27 TDs (5th most in the NFL). Week One, the only time he had both Alshon Jeffery AND DeSean Jackson on the field, Wentz hucked 28.15 FPs — his season-high.
Enter 2020, and Wentz has been gifted an entirely revamped WRs corps, emphasizing one key element:
Speed.
Rookie addition Jalen Reagor blazes an unofficial 4.22 forty. Olympic trackster Marquise Goodwin burns at 4.27. The fully healthy DeSean Jackson is the “slowest” with his absurd 4.35.
These lid-lifters, combined with the beastly underneath presences of Alshon Jeffery, Zach Ertz, Dallas Goedert, and Miles Sanders, gives Wentz by far his most dangerous weapon’s cabinet yet.
Recall, Wentz was the QB2 in points per game, and on pace for 40 TDs, just two seasons ago with a much lesser supporting cast. Torrey Smith was the “deep threat” that year. Just the presence of speed alone was enough to reshape this offense.
Imagine if Reagor is the real deal, or DJax can sustain health all year?!
More than just an obvious talent injection, these WR additions also suggest an aggressive, downfield attack is forthcoming. GM Howie Roseman admitted as much:
#Eagles GM Howie Roseman to RapSheet + Friends on a big draft emphasis: "We want to throw the ball down the field. We don’t want to be station-to-station football – that’s not what coach Pederson wants.” On Philly adding speed at 13:10: https://t.co/gr1g0R64pc
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 28, 2020
Big plays = big fantasy points. With these burners keeping safeties back, the Eagles offense could be truly impossible to cover. Similar to the Chiefs, Ravens, and Cowboys, this Eagles team could become one that rarely leaves the field without scoring points.
Ultimately, Wentz has a cannon arm. Yet has never had the weaponry consistently available to show it off. With these WR additions, especially considering they passed up the surer Justin Jefferson for Reagor’s field-stretching, this offense is about to unload bombs.
Granted, none of these WRs are guarantees. DJax and Jeffery are proven, but both are constantly in-and-out of the lineup. Goodwin hasn’t put anything quality on tape for two seasons. Reagor’s ceiling is limitless, but the floor is lower than with other first round WR prospects.
Plus, Wentz’s durability is obviously worth questioning.
Still, the upside is so enormous for Wentz and this offense as a whole. Doug Pederson is a creative play caller, and he now has more firepower than ever before at his disposal. He explodes into my Top-10 QBs, among the “League Winning” upside tier (Watson, Allen, Brees, Brady).
Also note: Wentz’s current TD O/U prop is 27.5. He threw 27 last season with garbage out wide. He’s hitting 28 within 12 games, so health is your only risk. I’d smash that.
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