Crowded House

For an organization that values fresh ideas and concepts, specifically on offense, one can expect at least a few new wrinkles under new offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo.

Preeminent leaders, like quarterback Jalen Hurts and wide receiver A.J. Brown, mentioned this spring the need for the offense to evolve, which presumably doesn’t pertain to its high-octane rushing attack. For the offense to progress, it’s the passing game that must reach new heights. The primary source of production begins with the NFL’s top receiving tandem of Brown and DeVonta Smith, but there are a number of hopefuls vying for roles and roster spots.

With a host of new faces on the roster and competition in key areas at play, now is the time to begin brushing up on the various position groups.

Our position preview series continues with a comprehensive look at the wide receiver room.

GETTY IMAGES: If the Eagles open the offense more in 2025, it could mean more reliance on DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown.

A.J. Brown

Atop the Eagles receiver hierarchy is Brown, arguably the best in the business at his trade. Inspiring and always self-motivated, Brown appears to have attacked the offseason full throttle, priming himself for a prolific season ahead. Boasting a rocked-up physique, speed to thrive on all levels of the field and unmatched physicality, Brown is nearly impossible to contend with and could conceivably see an uptick in volume under new offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo. His leadership and energy is also infectious, critical intangibles that match the on-field production and make Brown one of the league’s most complete playmakers.

In his three seasons with the Eagles, Brown has accumulated 4,031 receiving yards and 25 touchdowns on 261 receptions over 47 regular season games. I’m forecasting a season that far exceeds his 2024 production.

DeVonta Smith

The passing game runs through Brown, Smith and tight end Dallas Goedert, and with the expected aerial attack evolution, Smith could reap the benefits. The slender-framed receiver has always played the game like a savvy veteran, running razor-sharp routes and routinely showing his flair for reading coverages and finding the soft spots. His ability to create separation is a work of art. Smith last season was limited to 13 games, registering 833 receiving yards and eight touchdowns on 68 catches, though I’m expecting the fifth-year pro to eclipse the 1,000-yard receiving barrier this season for the third time in his career.

Jahan Dotson

Arriving in Philadelphia via an August trade with the Washington Commanders merely weeks before the season opener in Brazil, Dotson wasn’t afforded very much time to learn a new offense after spending an entire offseason immersed in an entirely different one. He also didn’t have the opportunity to establish much of a rapport with Jalen Hurts, who initiates offseason throwing sessions with teammates. Dotson caught 19 of his 33 regular season targets for 216 yards, but came up big in the postseason, producing a touchdown in the wild-card matchup with the Packers and 27-yard reception in Super Bowl LIX, which set up the first touchdown.

I’m curious to see how Patullo utilizes Dotson – perhaps more run-after-catch opportunities – but the fourth-year wideout is a prime candidate for a bounce-back season. He’s entrenched as the team’s No. 3 receiver.

Johnny Wilson

Wilson, a 2024 sixth-round pick, appeared in 16 games (four starts) as the Eagles’ No. 4 receiver, reeling in five of his 15 pass targets for 38 yards and a touchdown. The Florida State product logged 369 snaps, accounting for 34% of the offensive total. The 6-foot-6, 228-pound Wilson did a lot of the dirty work offensively that doesn’t appear on box scores, but with so much competition vying for depth positions, he’ll presumably need to show tangible signs of development as a pass-catcher to reprise his role, particularly in terms of creating separation and coming down with contested throws. Working in his favor is that Wilson also contributes on special teams.

GETTY IMAGES: Eagles second-year WR Ainias Smith will battle for a backup spot and has natural slot abilities.

Ainias Smith

While his transition to the NFL wasn’t exactly seamless, and an injury delayed his rookie campaign, Smith returned a more confident player. The injury, which afforded Smith time to develop and allow the game to slow down, armed him with perspective and optimism. The 2024 fifth-round pick would appear in seven games, hauling in seven receptions for 41 yards and a touchdown. But as a predominant slot receiver, Smith will likely need to demonstrate value to stick around for another season, which could manifest via the return game. At Texas A&M, Smith totaled 836 yards and two touchdowns on 82 career punt returns. It’s plausible to envision a battle between Smith and Avery Williams (more on him in a second) down to the wire, but another slow start in training camp could leave him on the outside looking in.

Avery Williams

Williams, signed to a modest free-agent contract in March, generated some buzz coming out of the NFL owners meetings, as Nick Sirianni offered an expansive answer when discussing Williams’ versatility, intimating that some offensive touches are likely in the plans. Listed as a wide receiver after spending time at cornerback and running back with the Falcons, Williams is currently the clubhouse leader to inherit the vacancies at returner. For perspective, the dynamic 5-foot-9, 195-pound Williams returned both kicks and punts during his three years of game action with the Falcons. He’s returned 54 kicks for 1,211 yards and 58 punts for 630 yards. He was sidelined during spring practices with an undisclosed injury.

Terrace Marshall Jr.

Drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the second-round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Marshall should benefit from a clean slate with the Eagles, his fourth team. Marshall, 25, appeared in 43 games (17 starts) with the Panthers and Raiders, totaling 808 receiving yards and a touchdown on 67 catches. The big-bodied LSU product is off a good start with his new team, impressing with a flurry of catches during OTAs/mandatory minicamp. Marshall has experience working in his favor and, in theory, could fulfill a role like the one Wilson held last season. Marshall has logged only a smattering of special teams snaps in his career, but if he’s able to carve out a role as a gritty blocker and can come down with the occasional contested catch, he could elbow his way onto the roster. He’ll be one to monitor.

GETTY IMAGES: Having blistering speed could be the trait that lands WR Danny Gray on the 53.

Danny Gray

No longer flying under-the-radar, Gray turned some heads during the media-attended spring practices with his 4.33 speed and short-area quickness. A third-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers in 2022, Gray in September joined the Eagles’ practice squad, where he would spend the duration of the 2024 season. The fleet-footed wideout should have a leg-up on challengers due to his year of being around new offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo – then the Eagles’ pass game coordinator – as well as wide receivers coach Aaron Moorehead. His ability to stretch the field is a valued commodity in today’s game and sets him apart from the vast pool of contenders. It’s also worth noting that Gray, on the scout team last season, frequently gave the starting secondary fits while helping them prepare for the opponent. Special teams could be the determining factor here, but Gray is a dark horse candidate to earn a roster spot.

Darius Cooper (R)

One of three rookie free agent wide receivers to sign with the Eagles on the heels of the NFL Draft, Cooper quietly enjoyed a productive series of media-attended spring practices. The six-foot, 190-pound wideout capped his five-year Tarleton State tenure with a banner 2024 campaign, achieving career highs in receptions (76), receiving yards (1,450) and touchdowns (14). Notably, the 2024 first-team Associated Press FCS All American was on the receiving end of a deep shot from Tanner McKee for a touchdown during the first media-attended OTA practice and reeled in a handful of passes during team drills. Reps this summer figure to be scarce, but Cooper this spring capitalized on his opportunities.

Taylor Morin (R)

Morin, who signed with the Eagles as a rookie free agent this spring, likely needs to showcase his value as a returner to realistically enter the roster conversation. The shifty 5-11, 185-pound pass-catcher holds a Wake Forest record for most career receiving yards (2,974), and also ranks second all-time in punt return yards (809). His best season returning punts occurred in 2024, where Morin averaged 17 yards and ran one back for a touchdown. Due to his quickness and ability to find the soft spots underneath in coverage, I’m expecting Morin to be a popular safety valve this summer for quarterbacks Kyle McCord and Dorian Thompson-Robinson.

Giles Jackson (R)

Signed to the Eagles’ 90-man roster following a successful rookie minicamp tryout, Jackson joins a crowded group of pass catchers. Jackson, who spent two seasons at Michigan and four at Washington, finished his collegiate career with 1,723 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns on 159 receptions. He also added 183 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Though a bit further down in the pecking order, Jackson’s path to roster consideration figures to come via the return game, where the 5-foot-9, 185-pound speedster produced 1,730 yards and two touchdowns off 71 kickoff returns. He also returned 25 punts.

Elijah Cooks

Cooks originally signed to the Eagles’ practice squad in January leading up to the divisional round showdown with the Rams – he was tasked with emulating Puka Nacua on the scout team – and signed a Reserve/Future contract after the season. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound wideout entered the league as a rookie free agent with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2023, appearing in 11 games over his two seasons with the team. He pulled in three catches for 38 yards over that span. The San Jose State product was sidelined during spring practices with an undisclosed injury.

– Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com.