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Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles: Rookies to watch

By A.J. Fagerlin

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 22: Phillip Lindsay #30 of the Denver Broncos is brought down by Darnell Savage #26 of the Green Bay Packers during the first half at Lambeau Field on September 22, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 22: Phillip Lindsay #30 of the Denver Broncos is brought down by Darnell Savage #26 of the Green Bay Packers during the first half at Lambeau Field on September 22, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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JJ Arcega-Whiteside 2019 NFL draft pick
Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images /

J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, WR

Like Sanders, J.J. Arega-Whiteside was a 2019 second-round pick of the Eagles, as Philly attempted to surround Carson Wentz with even more effective weapons this offeseason. JJAW was very effective as a receiver at Stanford, and was a popular “sleeper” coming into the draft this year at that position.

So far in his rookie season, Arcega-Whiteside has been disappointing. Although it has been just three games, JJAW has been presented with opportunities to make an impact, but has failed to do so. After playing just five offensive snaps week one, wide receiver injuries allowed him to see the field a lot the past two games.

In week two against the Falcons, Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson both went down with injuries early in the game, leading to Arcega-Whiteside playing 93% of the team’s offensive snaps. In those 75 snaps, JJAW was targeted just four times, and caught just one of the balls for four yards.

With Jeffery and Jackson still out last week against the Lions, Whiteside was credited with a start, but played just 72% of the team’s offensive snaps, as his ineffectiveness showed. On three targets this game, JJAW again caught just one pass. He clearly was not able to get open against either the Falcons or Lions, and a few key drops in both close games could have been deciding factors that led to defeat for Philadelphia.

Alshon Jeffery is, again, expected to play tonight, so Arcega-Whiteside’s role should be decreased once again this week against the Packers. It is a bad match-up anyway for Eagles receivers, and JJAW should be utilized behind Jeffery, Nelson Agholor, and Mack Hollins tonight. But maybe that is what he needs.

Being forced into a start in his third career game may not have been the best thing for Arcega-Whiteside. After barely seeing the field week one, it was clear that the Eagles didn’t think he was ready for a large NFL workload at this point in his career. Injuries changed that outlook, and forced him onto the field, but as the season goes on it may benefit JJAW to see occasional action, maybe making a surprising big play here and there while defenses aren’t game-planning against him.

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