Carson Wentz Is The Heavy Favorite For Year 2 Breakout
By Erik Lambert
The Philadelphia Eagles are banking much of their success in 2017 on quarterback Carson Wentz taking that all-too-critical sophomore step forward.
Most NFL enthusiasts know the biggest jump in production for a pro football player typically takes place between their first and second years. It’s one of those universal truths that is the same for every position on the field. The Eagles spent the entire offseason trying to help Wentz prepare for that moment to ascend. They spent heavily in free agency at wide receiver while adding two new running backs including TD machine LeGarrette Blount.
That begs the question. Should Wentz be the favorite among all second-year players for that big jump? Several top experts seem to think so. ESPN polled a number of analysts on the subject, asking for who their big breakout star will be. Of the six involved, four of them chose the Eagles quarterback on the guy to do it. Matt Bowen of Bleacher Report said it best.
"“Eagles QB Carson Wentz is my pick after the flashes he showed as a rookie, along with the upgrades Philly made at wide receiver. Alshon Jeffery is a great fit for the Eagles’ scheme, and Torrey Smith can still blow the top off the secondary with his vertical speed. Both players should facilitate more production from Wentz in his second season.”"
Even with the upgrades it’s not going to be easy. The NFC East looks more daunting than ever. Both the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants went to the playoffs in 2016. The Washington Redskins finished 9-7. As always it’s a division that can be so unforgiving, especially to young quarterbacks. Wentz should know. He went 2-4 against those teams. If he wants to fulfill these lofty expectations and avoid the ire of Philly fans, that will have to improve.