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Philadelphia Eagles have two obvious answers for wide receiver woes

By George Stockburger

LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 20: Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin #18 of the Philadelphia Eagles walks in the tunnel before playing the Washington Redskins at FedExField on December 20, 2014 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 20: Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin #18 of the Philadelphia Eagles walks in the tunnel before playing the Washington Redskins at FedExField on December 20, 2014 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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The Philadelphia Eagles shouldn’t have to look far for a receiver

Following Sunday’s loss in Tampa the Philadelphia Eagles are looking thin at the wide receiver position. Veteran Mike Wallace is reportedly faced with a potential season-ending ankle injury and was seen in a walking boot after the game.

Philadelphia is already without second-year receiver Mack Hollins for the year, and Alshon Jeffery is still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery.

Losing Wallace leaves the Eagles with Nelson Agholor, Shelton Gibson, a 2017 fifth-round pick with two career catches, has been targeted twice this year, and former Raven Kamar Aiken.

Tight ends Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert can pick up receptions, but the Eagles need help going into week three.

Two players the team should be looking at are veterans Dez Bryant and Jeremy Maclin.

GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 26: Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin #18 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown on a 21-yard pass reception in the first quarter of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 26, 2014 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 26: Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin #18 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown on a 21-yard pass reception in the first quarter of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 26, 2014 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Philadelphia drafted Maclin in 2009, the same year Doug Pederson was hired as an offensive quality control coach. Maclin also spent one year in Kansas City when Pederson was the offensive coordinator under Andy Reid.

Among Eagles receivers since 1970 Maclin is fifth on the all-time receiving list and third in receiving touchdowns.

The organization is clearly familiar with what Maclin can do, and while he’s had two down years a return to Philadelphia could revitalize the 30-year-old Maclin.

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Bryant on the open market after Dallas cut him in April, and he’s been vocal about wanting to play the Cowboys twice a year. Philadelphia will face Bryant’s former team weeks 10 and 14, the later game being in Dallas.

Despite receiving offers from the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns, Bryant hasn’t signed with a team yet. He seems to be waiting for the right situation and the right contract, though he reportedly turned down $7 million a year from Baltimore.

Would Philadelphia want a personality like Bryant in their locker room? There was concern about adding Michael Bennett after a trade with Seattle, but thus far there hasn’t been an issue.

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Either Maclin or Bryant makes sense for Philadelphia, and the combination of one of them with a healthy Jeffery and Agholor makes for one of the best receiving corps in the league.

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