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February 12, 2018

Eagles stay or go: Wide receiver

Now that the happy hangover of the Philadelphia Eagles' celebration is over, let's take a look at each position and figure out which players will be back in 2018, and which ones will be playing elsewhere. 

On Saturday we started with the quarterbacks. Sunday we continued on with the running backs. Today, we'll cover the wide receivers.

Alshon Jeffery

In early December, the Eagles signed Jeffery to a four-year contract extension worth $52 million. He rewarded them with 12 receptions for 219 yards and 3 TDs in the playoffs.

#JimmyVerdict: Money well spent.

Your verdict: 

Torrey Smith

Smith is a good person and locker room presence, however, the Eagles will have to decide if they want to pay him $5,000,000 this season, or part ways with him. In my view, he did not play well enough in 2017 to justify that price tag. He led the team in drops by a considerable margin, and often went long stretches without making plays in the offense. If Smith agrees to a pay cut, then the Eagles should consider keeping him. If not, they are better served using those resources elsewhere.

#JimmyVerdict: Go.

Your verdict: 

Nelson Agholor

What a difference one season can make in the NFL. This time last year, most Eagles fans would have been willing to catapult Agholor out of the city. A year later, everyone was freaking out when he was ill a few days before the Super Bowl. On the season, Agholor had 62 catches for 768 yards and 8 TDs.


MORE ON THE EAGLES: Seven Eagles make PFF's Top 101 NFL players list – but there's one egregious omission | Report: Eagles expected to promote Press Taylor to QB coach | The Eagles' five biggest offseason needs | What they're saying about Eagles: Options to replace OC Frank Reich and QB coach John DeFilippo


#JimmyVerdict: There's no question Agholor will be back next season. The only question is if the Eagles will use their fifth-year option on him for 2019. (Spoiler: They will, but we'll have more tomorrow.)

Your verdict: 

Mack Hollins

While I believe that thinking of Hollins as a starter next season to potentially replace Torrey Smith is a little premature, Hollins is probably in line for some kind of bigger role in 2018. At a minimum, Hollins showed that he can be a quality special teamer, while flashing speed and blocking ability in the regular offense.

#JimmyVerdict: Obviously, Hollins will be back.

Your verdict: 

Shelton Gibson

Gibson had a horrendous training camp his rookie season but made the team because he was a fifth-round pick with upside. Gibson predictably spent most of the season on the inactive list, though he did dress late in the season, including all throughout the playoffs and the Super Bowl.

Gibson can't possibly be worse in 2018 training camp than he was in 2017 when he simply couldn't catch the football, so improvement is inevitable. The team seemed to be rewarding his hard work by allowing him to be among the active 46 and playing on special teams.

#JimmyVerdict: Gibson is a good bet to be back in 2018, as the team has shown willingness to be patient with him, but he can't be anywhere near as bad in camp as he was in 2017.

Your verdict: 

Marcus Johnson

Around the time Gibson started dressing for game day is when Johnson began showing up on the inactive list. Word is that the team was hoping Johnson would step up during the regular season and force his way into the lineup by making plays, but he was unable to capitalize on his opportunities.

#JimmyVerdict: Johnson had a great camp in 2017. He'll probably need an even better one to survive in 2018.

Your verdict: 

#JimmyVerdict Stay or Go Results

Green = Stay

Red = Go

Orange = They'll make it to camp, and will have to prove they belong on the roster.

(Note: Some mobile versions will not display colors.)

 Position
 QBCarson Wentz Nick Foles Nate Sudfeld  
 RBJay Ajayi LeGarrette Blount Corey Clement Darren Sproles 
 RB (cont) Wendell SmallwoodDonnel Pumphrey Kenjon Barner  
 WRAlshon Jeffery Torrey Smith Nelson Agholor Mack Hollins 
 WR (cont) Shelton GibsonMarcus Johnson   
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 S    
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 GM    


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