It appears we can't yet rule out the possibility that the Eagles are headed for a breakup with DeSean Jackson.
Battista: Parsing the DeSean drama
Chip Kelly's always guarded, so ambiguity on the DeSean
Jackson front is no surprise. Judy Battista reads between the lines. **READ**
Eagles head coach Chip Kelly spoke publicly about reports that Jackson is on the trade block for the first time Wednesday and failed to put the speculation to rest, saying "I like DeSean, ... but we're always going to do what's best for the organization."
So, while Jackson apparently thinks he's coming back, the Eagles might not be so sure.
Here's what we are sure about -- if Philly does decide to part ways with Jackson and looks to the draft for a replacement, they'll have some very intriguing options at the position when they make their first-round pick (No. 22 overall). However, there's so much depth at wide receiver this year that they'll likely have good options later even if they don't address the position in the first round.
With that in mind, here's a look at the best WR prospect fits that could be available for the Eagles in the draft's first couple rounds.
First-round fits
Odell Beckham
Beckham has good speed (4.43 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine) and is very dangerous after the catch. His dynamic return-game ability is an added bonus -- he won the Paul Hornung Award last season as college football's most versatile player.
Brandin Cooks
Cooks can flat-out fly. He ran a 4.33 40 at the combine and was a true No. 1 for Oregon State last season -- everyone knew he was the guy to cover, and he still was hugely productive, setting Pac-12 single-season records with 128 catches for 1,730 yards. He left a great impression on and my colleagues involved with NFL Network's "Path to the Draft" show when he visited us recently. He's serious about his craft and has a good understanding of what will be expected of him at the next level having played in a pro-style offense.
Kelvin Benjamin
Benjamin is a wild card in this group. He's obviously from a different mold than Jackson, Beckham and Cooks because of his size (6-foot-5, 240 pounds). He can't match the speed of those other guys, but that doesn't mean he can't fit in Chip Kelly's offense. Kelly will adapt his offense to fit his personnel if he thinks it will lead to better results, and if the Eagles decide size is what they need at the position, Benjamin could be there waiting for them at No. 22.
Marqise Lee
Lee is in a tough spot because he didn't wow anyone with his 40 time (4.52) at the combine and his production dipped last season as he battled injuries, but Kelly knows well what Lee is capable of doing. He was coaching Oregon in 2012, the season Lee won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's top receiver, when Lee racked up 408 all-purpose yards against the Ducks, including 157 yards and two touchdowns on 12 receptions. Chip won't forget that one. Lee is a smooth strider and is deceptively fast. He'll be a nice addition to any offense and could still be available for Philly at No. 22.
Second-round fits
Davante Adams
Adams has experience playing in Kelly's type of system. He's a bigger guy (6-1, 212) used to working inside routes and has great hands.
Jordan Matthews
Matthews has good size (6-3, 212) and ran a better-than-expected 4.46 40 at the combine. Some question his suddenness -- he won't blow anyone away with his burst, but he's strong and physical and left Vanderbilt as the most productive receiver in SEC history.
Donte Moncrief
Moncrief has good burst and is a vertical threat with excellent size at 6-2, 221 pounds.
Allen Robinson
Robinson fell from a fringe first-rounder to a likely second-rounder at the combine after a 4.60 40, but he's an excellent route runner with good hands and great size (6-2, 220). He can make plays after the catch, too.
Follow Charles Davis on Twitter @CFD22.
