The Philadelphia Eagles are reportedly looking to part ways with one of their receivers this season, even after their Super Bowl 57 run.
The Philadelphia Eagles had a fantastic 2022 season but fell short of their ultimate goal of winning Super Bowl 57. They entered halftime of the big game with a 24-14 lead over the Kansas City Chiefs, but lost 38-35. The Eagles now have a tough offseason ahead of them, as they have a few big names set to become unrestricted free agents. It looks like GM Howie Roseman has an idea in mind for 2023.
The Athletic has published an article (subscription required) that features comments from those covering all 32 teams, and asked them to identify potential cut or trade candidates. For the Eagles, Athletic writer Bo Wulf listed receiver Quez Watkins as a potential trade candidate.
The Eagles don’t really have a proper answer to that question. There are a few players whose contracts say they will be released after June 1 (Fletcher Cox for sure, as well as Brandon Graham and Jason Kelce, depending on their decision on their future),” Wulf wrote. “Watkins had a disappointing third season in Philadelphia as the No. 3 wide receiver after the arrival of AJ Brown on offense. Replacing Watkins won’t be the Eagles’ top priority this offseason, but it’s something they’d like to do, maybe midway through the first round of the draft. Watkins still offers top speed, so if there’s a team desperate for it, Howie Roseman would definitely be open to a deal. »
Quez Watkins, a potential candidate for the Eagles?
Watkins entered the NFL pre-draft process in 2020 after playing four seasons at Southern Mississippi. At the NFL Scouting Combine, Watkins clocked a time of 4.35 seconds for the 40-yard sprint, which was the third fastest of all participants in that year’s event. Only Alabama’s Henry Ruggs (4:27) and Utah’s Javelin Guidry (4:29) beat him.
In his sophomore season, Watkins started 12 times and appeared in all 17 games, where he recorded 43 receptions for 647 yards and a touchdown on 62 targets. His target total was the Eagles’ third-most, just behind wide receiver DeVonta Smith (104) and tight end Dallas Goedert (76).
Last season, Watkins’ target count dipped after the team acquired AJ Brown from the Tennessee Titans. Brown led the team with 145 targets, followed by Smith with 136, and Goedert with 69. Watkins received 51 targets, where he made 31 catches for 354 yards and three touchdowns. Watkins appeared in all 17 regular season games, with only eight starts. In the playoffs, the third-year wideout received just three targets in three games played, with one reception for eight yards.
Could the Eagles decide to part ways with Watkins this year? It’s a question everyone asks. We might get a better idea once the championship year begins, where we’ll see who the Eagles bring in during free agency and the NFL Draft.
