The Philadelphia Eagles are just hours from being on the NFL draft clock and Howie Roseman will have a huge decision to make on the personnel front.
Roseman will indeed target wide receivers with his eight picks, but the questions and concerns center around who and when.
Roseman is known for being an active participant on draft night and his perfection with the salary cap is second to none. It’s Roseman’s player analysis and penchant for missing on players that have some Eagles fans nervous.
The Eagles have drafted eight wide receivers since Roseman became the Eagles general manager in 2010. Only Riley Cooper and Nelson Agholor can be deemed anything close to being successful.
With the Eagles not guaranteed a shot at the big four of Jeudy, Lamb, Ruggs, and Jefferson, it’ll be even more pertinent for Roseman to make the correct decision on wide receivers in the draft.
With Roseman set to be on the clock, here’s a list of the previous wide receivers drafted under Howie as GM.
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2010.
Riley Cooper, Florida, Round-5, Pick 159 overall
Most known for his comments at a Kenny Chesney concert, the former Florida Gators star was the first wideout drafted under Roseman.
Cooper spent six seasons with the Eagles, catching 169 balls in 88 total games, for 2,418 yards, and 18 career touchdowns.
His best season came in 2013 when Cooper caught 47 balls for 837 yards and 8 touchdowns.
2012.
Marvin McNutt, Iowa, Round-6, Pick 194 overall
Drafted in the sixth round out of Iowa, McNutt may have just been a throw-in for Roseman who cashed out for the day after trading up for Fletcher Cox.
McNutt spent one season with the Eagles, appearing in four games, and recording no offensive stats. He was out of the league 2-years later.
2014.
Jordan Matthews, Vanderbilt, Round-2, Pick 42 overall
Josh Huff, Oregon, Round-3, Pick 86 overall
Both guys were players Chip Kelly wanted, with the former Oregon head coach reportedly wanting to draft Matthews in the first round.
Matthews had some solid moments for the Eagles, but he never materialized as a true No. 1. In 72 career games, Matthews has 274 catches for 3,288 yards and 22 touchdowns.
Huff never panned out and was more of a loyalty pick for Kelly. In 37 career NFL games, Huff had 51 catches for 523 yards and four touchdowns.
2015.
Roseman lost control and power to Kelly in what would be Chip’s final season. The Nelson Agholor pick will be Chip Kelly’s.
2017.
Mack Hollins, UNC, Round-4, Pick 118 overall
Shelton Gibson, West Virginia, Round-5, Pick 166 overall
Hollins spent two-years to many with the Eagles and never materialized as a pass-catcher. The special teams ace appeared in 32 career games, catching 26 passes for 351 yards and one touchdown.
Gibson is currently still on the Eagles roster and bounced around a bit on and off the roster. In 20 career games, Gibson has 3 catches for 59 yards.
2019.
JJ Arcega-Whiteside, Stanford, Round-2, pick 57 overall
Arcega-Whiteside is still a work in progress, but his inability to produce as a rookie is the biggest concern when it comes to Roseman’s ability to judge talent.
Arcega-Whiteside struggled as a rookie, catching 10 passes for 169 yards and one touchdown. His inability to get on the field as a rookie was further concern after Deebo Samuel, DK Metcalf and Terry McLaurin all had more productive seasons.
