The Philadelphia Eagles made an interesting move on Tuesday when they acquired second-year wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham from the Tennessee Titans in exchange for backup guard/tackle Dennis Kelly. DGB, the 40th overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft, had already fallen out of favor with the Titans’ current coaching staff, but will get the opportunity to compete for a starting role in Philly.
If you watched the Eagles’ 2016 preseason opener, it was apparent just how badly this team needs a wide receiver upgrade. After all, the corps combined for an embarrassing 52 yards on 21 targets. Green-Beckham is no immediate savior, but his physical tools are enough to make coaches drool.
DGB is 6’5″, 237 pounds, and ran a 4.49 40-yard dash at the ’15 Scouting Combine. You can count on one hand the number of wide receivers in league history that have had that size/speed combination. DGB was a former high school sensation, actually setting the all-time receiving record and earning distinction as Rivals’ No. 1 player in the nation heading into college.
Green-Beckham’s college career wasn’t without its issues; he was twice arrested for marijuana charges, involved in a domestic dispute issue, and then kicked off the University of Missouri’s football program. DGB seems to have worn out his welcome with Titans’ GM Jon Robinson, who essentially dumped him for a career backup lineman with low upside.
For the Eagles, it’s an obvious hope that a change of scenery will positively benefit Green-Beckham.
Philly’s current wide receiver corps are underwhelming; with Jordan Matthews sidelined due to a knee injury, what’s left are disappointing 2015 first-round pick Nelson Agholor, new free-agent acquisition Rueben Randle, and former Chip Kelly favorite Josh Huff. Matthews will likely be ready for Week 1, but he’s better suited in the slot. Agholor was vastly disappointing in his rookie campaign, and while he will have every opportunity to earn a starting spot in 2016, he hasn’t yet earned it with his play on the field. Huff continued to make boneheaded plays, and Randle’s preseason debut with the Eagles was without any effort.
DGB may not flourish in Philadelphia. As it stands, he’s never lived up to his full potential, failing to run precise routes and playing more like a receiver half his size. Still, DGB posted a respectable 32/549/4 statline as a rookie on a team that ranked just 21st in the league in passing attempts. Green-Beckham’s 17.2 yards-per-catch average is a testament to the big-play potential that he does offer, and hopes have to be high that he can amount to a significant red zone presence. It really doesn’t hurt at all to take a flier on DGB, especially given the current state of the Philly wide receivers.
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