Eagles Strengthen Receiving Corps, Acquire Dorial Green-Beckham
Source: Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images North America
Tuesday morning, the Philadelphia Eagles announced that they have bolstered their receiving corps with the acquisition of WR Dorial Green-Beckham. The team traded OL Dennis Kelly to the Tennessee Titans for Green-Beckham.
Ever since the loss of DeSean Jackson, the Eagles have had major problems at wide receiver. They've spent the past two seasons trying to replace the explosiveness and play-making ability that Jackson brought to the table. Jeremy Maclin was Jackson's initial replacement, and that seemed to work well. Maclin caught 85 passes for over 1,300 yards and 10 touchdowns. Unfortunately, that success was short-lived, as Chip Kelly allowed Maclin to leave for Kansas City via free agency. In the span of two seasons, the Eagles lost their top two receivers, and were left with a trio of Jordan Matthews, Riley Cooper, and Josh Huff -- a trio that hasn't come to matching the production by the pair of departed receivers.
Since the departure of Maclin, the Eagles problems at wide receiver have only escalated. The team especially suffered when it came to dropped passes. In 2014, the Eagles ranked 18th in the league in dropped passes, with a drop rate of 4.2 percent. Fast-forward to 2015, and the Eagles were the top team in dropped passes, with 37 dropped balls -- which equaled out to a drop rate of 6 percent. That's a massive increase in dropped balls. To make matters worse, the Eagles had four different receivers catch at least 50 passes in 2014. The 2015 season saw only two Eagles catch more than 27 passes. That's right, between the receiving corps of Jordan Matthews, Nelson Agholor, Miles Austin, Zach Ertz, Brent Celek, and Josh Huff, only two Eagles surpassed 30 catches last season.
Source: Stats LLC
The Eagles are hoping that the acquisition of Green-Beckham can reverse their fortunes when it comes to pass catchers. Green-Beckham, 23, is a former 2015 second-round pick for the Titans. The 6'5 Green-Beckham tips the scales at 240 pounds, and ran a 4.45 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine last year -- garnering a fair amount of comparisons to the recently retired Calvin Johnson. It wasn't just his speed that garnered comparison to Johnson, it was his overall level of play. Green-Beckham is big, physical receiver, with a good pair of hands. Couple that with his incredible speed for a kid his size, and it's easy to see the love for DGB.
However, he does come with his fair share of baggage. In 2012 & 2014, Green-Beckham was arrested on possession of marijuana. The big blow came in April 2014, when Green-Beckham was dismissed from the University of Missouri for a domestic violence claim. Allegedly, Green-Beckham forced open the apartment door of his then-girlfriend, and pushed the girlfriend's friend down "at least four stairs." After his dismissal from Missouri, Green-Beckham transferred to Oklahoma, where never played a down. Dorial ended his college career with 87 receptions for 1,278 yards and 17 touchdowns in two seasons.
Many are questioning why the Titans would give up on Green-Beckham so easily. For starters, the Titans have incredible depth at the position, leaving Green-Beckham as the odd man out. With guys like Justin Hunter, Kendall Wright, Rishard Matthews, veteran slot-man Harry Douglas, and the recently-signed Andre Johnson -- Green-Beckham didn't have much of a chance. When you factor in the recent performance of 2016 fifth-round pick Tajae Sharpe, that was the final nail in Green-Beckham's coffin. That wasn't the only reason, though.
In Philadelphia, Green-Beckham figures to immediately compete for a starting position. Meaning, that Nelson Agholor's starting job is in jeopardy. Not only is Agholor's job in jeopardy, but third-year receiver Josh Huff's roster spot figures to be in question, as well.
