Philadelphia Eagles Fantasy Outlook
Nov 10, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jordan Matthews (81) catches 13-yard touchdown against Carolina Panthers free safety Thomas DeCoud (21) during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Jordan Matthews:
The Eagles are considerably young at receiver and they will need big years from players like Jordan Matthews. Matthews had a very solid rookie campaign, hauling in 67 catches on 105 targets, for 872 yards and 8 TDs.
On top of that, Matthews was targeted on 16.7% of the throws made by Eagles quarterbacks, only Jeremy Maclin was targeted more (23%). With Maclin gone, Matthews will be target on a higher percentage of throws, even though his total targets will probably be down due to less throws being attempted by the Eagles offense this year.
I predict that Matthews will be targeted on about 18% of Bradford’s throws, translating to 101 targets in total.
Predicted Matthews Stat Line: 75 catches on 101 targets, 1,072 yards and 10 TDs.
Fantasy Points in an ESPN Standard League: 167
This production will turn Matthews from the 24th ranked receiver to the 13th ranked receiver, in front of Golden Tate but behind Alshon Jeffery, making Matthews a very good WR2.
Nelson Agholor
Agholor will be expected to make an impact from day one. While I expect Agholor to have a solid rookie season, it will be closer in comparison to Jordan Matthews’ rookie season than Odell Beckham Jr.’s rookie campaign.
Predicted Agholor Stat Line: 68 catches on 98 targets, 952 yards and 9 TDs.
Fantasy Points in an ESPN Standard League: 149.2
This stat line would have made Agholor the 18th best receiver in fantasy last year, behind former Eagles WR DeSean Jackson, but in front of Mike Wallace. With these numbers, Agholor would be a WR2, but I expect to see him used more as a WR3/Flex.
Zach Ertz
This is a big year for Zach Ertz, as it is gearing up for a make it/break it year for the young tight end. Ertz has great hands and is a good route runner, but he will need to improve his blocking to gain more playing time. I expect Ertz to have a breakout season this year, cementing himself as the Eagles tight end of the future.
Predicted Ertz Stat Line: 65 catches on 84 targets, 828 yards and 5 TDs.
Fantasy Points in an ESPN Standard League: 112.8
112.8 points would place Ertz behind Delanie Walker, but above the long time great, Jason Witten, and make him the 10th best tight end in football and a solid option for a TE1.
***All stats are courtesy of ESPN.com unless credited otherwise.***