Ten Prospects To Know: Eagles WR Targets


USC WR Nelson Agholor. Jake Roth / USA Today

USC WR Nelson Agholor. Jake Roth / USA Today

We’ve gone over a bunch of wide receivers individually, but with the draft just six days away, it’s time to take a look at the class as a whole.

Below are 10 wide receivers who I believe could receive a phone call from Chip Kelly next week, along with some thoughts and background on each.

Nelson Agholor, USC (6-0, 198/4.42) – He has drawn some Jeremy Maclin comparisons. Agholor is one of my favorite wide receivers in this class, and there’s no doubt in my mind he’s a player Kelly will covet. Agholor caught 104 balls for 1,313 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. He’s dynamic with the ball in his hands and can return punts (four TDs the past two seasons). Agholor can operate outside or in the slot and plays with toughness. He has no problem making tough catches in traffic. While his measurables are adequate, neither his size nor speed is elite. A month ago, he was getting mocked in the second round. Now it seems like Agholor has an excellent chance of going off the board in the first. He could be an option for the Eagles at No. 20 or if they trade back. Agholor visited the NovaCare Complex, and the Eagles also held a private workout with him.

Breshad Perriman, UCF (6-2, 212/4.27 Pro Day) – He seems to be a polarizing prospect. Perriman has great size/speed measurables, and he was a big-play producer. Perriman was the only receiver in the country who caught 50+ balls and averaged at least 20 yards per catch (full write-up/breakdown here). He does an excellent job of adjusting to downfield throws and can also make plays in traffic. Perriman had issues with drops, but his upside is probably greater than any of the other receivers on this list. I’m a believer in his talent and think Perriman could be an option with the 20th pick. Like Agholor, he also reportedly made a visit to the NovaCare Complex.

Jaelen Strong, Arizona State (6-2, 217/4.44) – The West Catholic product caught 82 balls for 1,165 yards and 10 touchdowns last year. He has a 42-inch vertical and is great on back-shoulder fades. Strong didn’t show as much ability to stretch the field as Perriman (full write-up/breakdown here), and he wasn’t dynamic with the ball in his hands. Some have compared him to Jordan Matthews, which I think makes some sense. I’m not as high on Strong as others and would prefer Agholor or Perriman. But Kelly could feel differently and snag Strong in the second half of the first round.

Phillip Dorsett, Miami (5-10, 185/4.33) – When Ed Marynowitz spoke yesterday about measurables, it made me wonder whether Dorsett would fit the bill. He’s smaller than the receivers listed above, but the Eagles had him in for an official visit, so obviously there’s some level of interest. Dorsett is a burner and one of the best field stretchers in this year’s class (full write-up/breakdown here). He averaged 24.19 yards per catch last year, which was second-best in the country. Dorsett is also dynamic with the ball in his hands and plays with toughness. Despite his size, he’s not afraid to take on contact and can work the middle of the field. If he were to fall to No. 52, I think the Eagles could have interest. But it seems likely that he’ll be off the board by then.

Devin Smith, Ohio State (6-0, 196/4.42) – He was the premiere vertical threat in the country last year, catching 33 balls for 931 yards and 12 touchdowns. Smith led all receivers, averaging 28.21 yards per reception. He can operate inside or outside, and NFL.com labeled him as arguably the best gunner in the country on special teams. Smith does as good a job tracking the ball downfield as any receiver in this draft. He can blow by defenders and make contested catches. Smith also made some plays in the middle of the field. He doesn’t have elite measurables and didn’t make a lot of plays with the ball in his hands. Kelly is close with Urban Meyer and should get a detailed scouting report on Smith. He could be an option on Day 2.

Sammie Coates, Auburn (6-1, 212/4.42) – He is a physical specimen. Coates has 33 3/8-inch arms and a 41-inch vertical. He caught 34 balls for 741 yards and four touchdowns last year. Coates was a big-play receiver for the Tigers last year, averaging 21.79 yards per catch, fourth-best in the country. He’s a big body who presents problems for opposing defensive backs downfield. Coates isn’t quick, but can be a load to bring down when he gets a head of steam, especially when he delivers his devastating stiff arm. He doesn’t always track the ball downfield well, but has a high upside. Coates could be an option on Day 2.

Rashad Greene, Florida State (5-11, 182/4.53) – He lacks the measurables of some of the other receivers on this list, but has been one of the most productive receivers in the country. Greene caught 99 balls for 1,365 yards and seven touchdowns last season. He’s considered one of the better route-runners and one of the more polished receivers in this year’s class. Greene has great hands and will likely receive a high #culture grade. He’s not dynamic with the ball in his hands and doesn’t have the upside of some of his peers, but if the Eagles wait until the middle rounds to snag a receiver, he’s a guy they could consider. Greene reportedly visited the NovaCare Complex and also had a private workout for Kelly.

Chris Conley, Georgia (6-2, 213/4.35) – Marynowitz explained yesterday that on Day 3, the Eagles might prefer to look at raw tools – guys that can be developed at the NFL level. Conley fits the mold and is a freak athlete. He has 33 3/4-inch arms and a 45-inch vertical. At times, he showed great hands and body control. Conley can be tough to bring down and possesses some YAC ability. He had just 36 catches, but averaged 18.25 yards per reception. Conley is an intriguing prospect with a ton of upside. He’d be worth the gamble on Day 3.

Ty Montgomery, Stanford (6-0, 221/4.55) – He has a 40.5-inch vertical, but otherwise tested average to below average at the combine. Montgomery is rocked up and has a versatile skill set. He has experience as a return man and a ball-carrier. The Cardinal used him out of the backfield and in Wildcat looks. Montgomery has his share of issues. He averaged just 9.9 YPR last season and had issues with drops. But he’s considered a high-character prospect, played in the Pac-12 and could be an option on Day 3.

R.J. Harris, New Hampshire (6-0, 200) – I can’t wait for #unhbias to be trending on Twitter. Harris was a highly productive receiver, totaling 310 catches for 4,328 yards and 36 touchdowns in his college career. Last season, Harris caught 100 balls for 1,551 yards and 15 touchdowns. From a size perspective, he falls in line with many of the prospects on this list, and Harris showed the ability to make plays downfield. He could be an option as a late-round pick.