Chaos would have to ensue this season for the Eagles to fall apart.
Even though Philadelphia’s 2025 roster is weaker compared to last season’s championship team, it’s still arguably the most talented group in the NFL.
But one issue could prevent them from winning consecutive Super Bowls: a long-term injury to A.J. Brown or DeVonta Smith.
Brown, who caught 67 passes for 1,079 yards and seven touchdowns in 2024, is one of the top wide receivers in the NFL, and Smith is one of the best No. 2 wide receivers, but overall, the Eagles are thin at the position, and the passing game could become a liability — if Smith or Brown miss a bunch of games.
In that scenario, Jahan Dotson would fill in as the No. 2 wide receiver, and one of the Eagles’ backup wide receivers would need to play well in a starting role to keep the offense functioning at a high level, but the Eagles might not have a backup who can do that.
Second-year wide receivers Johnny Wilson and Ainias Smith didn’t show enough promise during their rookie seasons to inspire confidence.
Wilson has imposing size (6-6, 228 pounds) and blocks well, but he lacks speed and has inconsistent hands. In 16 games, he only snagged five receptions for 38 yards and one touchdown.
Smith, who struggled with drops in training camp last year, made no impact during the regular season. The odds of him becoming an impactful NFL player are low, but he could edge out Terrace Marshall Jr. and Danny Gray to make the Eagles’ 53-man roster.
Marshall, a 2021 second-round draft pick, who signed a one-year deal with the Eagles in free agency, struggled in his three-year tenure with the Carolina Panthers, then his problems continued last season with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Gray, a 2022 third-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers, could win the Eagles’ last wide receiver spot. His speed is impressive (4.33 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine), however, he has struggled to make an impact in his first three seasons.
Undrafted rookies Darius Cooper, Taylor Morin and Giles Jackson need to dominate during training camp to push one of the top backups off the roster — an unlikely event.
If the Eagles don’t believe one of their backups can be a replacement starter, general manager Howie Roseman could sign or trade for a wide receiver to fill that need. ESPN suggested the Eagles could bring in free agent Tyler Boyd, who was considered one of the best slot wide receivers in the NFL when he played for the Cincinnati Bengals, amassing over 1,000 receiving yards in 2018 and in 2019.
“One thing the Eagles could use is more depth at the wide receiver position, particularly a slot receiver who can open underneath and convert third downs,”Aaron Schatz of ESPN wrote. “Keenan Allen would fit, but we have him going to the Dolphins, so how about Boyd?
“Boyd had just 39 catches for 390 yards with Tennessee (Titans) last season, but he was an important part of the Bengals’ offense from 2016 to 2023.Jahan Dotson feels like he’s in a better position to be productive in his second season in the Eagles’ offense, but Boyd would provide a strong backup in case Dotson is not.”
Allen, Amari Cooper and Gabriel Davis are the best free agent wide receivers available, but they will be looking to start, and the Eagles won’t pay them a starting salary. Coming in as a backup, Boyd won’t demand significant money or a big role, so he’s a realistic target for them.
Philadelphia’s passing attack should flourish when Brown and Smith are playing, but it could unravel when injuries happen to them.
So if none of their backups stand out during practices and preseason games, adding a veteran like Boyd needs to become one of Roseman’s top priorities before the season.
Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription. Cayden Steele may be reached atCSteele@njadvancemedia.com
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