The Philadelphia Eagles lost a big-play option on Tuesday when speedy wide receiver Marquise Goodwin opted out of playing the 2020 NFL season.
Goodwin has a good reason, as he and his wife Morgane Goodwin-Snow now have a 5-month daughter after the couple previously had three miscarriages. Family comes first and Goodwin will have to wait until 2021 to connect with Carson Wentz.
With Goodwin out for the season, the Eagles will have to move some parts around, and with the NFL being all about the next man up, here’s how the opt-out will impact Philadelphia.
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1. John Hightower in the slot makes more sense now
Hightower now has the chance to become a dynamic playmaker as a rookie and although he’s known more for his speed, the Eagles need to get him in space, and starting out in the slot seems like the most logical move.
During his senior season, Hightower had 51 receptions for 943 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns to go along with 16 carries for 154 rushing yards in 14 total games. His ability as a ball-carrier should allow Hightower to see the field early on in the 2020 season.
2. Jalen Reagor must mature quickly
It was an unknown regarding how much production the Eagles would get from Goodwin this season, but the presence of speed and big-play ability will be needed immediately on the outside. Goodwin was expected to be a backup plan in case DeSean Jackson struggled with injury or Reagor started out slow due to the pandemic filled offseason.
Now Reagor has lost the opportunity and must be more Terry McLaurin-Deebo Samuel as a rookie and less JJ Arcega-Whiteside.
3. Eagles down 3 starters as camp begins
The Eagles will definitely be without Brandon Brooks and Goodwin this season, while Alshon Jeffery will likely start the season on the PUP list and could miss the first few weeks of the season. A wide receiver group that appeared deep now has been reduced to DeSean Jackson, JJ Arcega-Whiteside, Jalen Reagor, John Hightower, Quez Watkins, and Greg Ward. The Eagles could be in line to sign a free agent, although they’d be best served rolling withe young guys.
