Life is about rebounding from mistakes; for the Eagles, that means a shift in culture and talent evaluation.
Fans can thank the 2020 NFL draft as the moment Philadelphia shifted to a culture of drafting the best available talent over positional fit. With Greg Ward having a breakout season from the slot in 2019, the Eagles entered the following spring’s draft with the approach of drafting an outside wide receiver to help elevate quarterback Carson Wentz.
Even after watching LSU dismantle opponents via a dynamic passing attack, Philadelphia GM Howie Roseman and head coach Doug Pederson felt All-American pass catcher Justin Jefferson was simply a slot receiver who benefited from an elite system and quarterback Joe Burrow.
The Eagles selected TCU wide receiver Jalen Reagor at pick No. 21, and the rest is history or the last huge NFL draft blunder Howie Roseman would ever make.
Jefferson has developed into one of the NFL’s top five pass catchers, while Reagor regressed at times and was recently traded to the Vikings for draft picks.
Roseman had such a successful offseason and summer that he had no problem telling Angelo Cataldi that he’d love a do-over on picking Jalen Reagor over Justin Jefferson.
Reagor has been a disappointment through two seasons, logging just 64 catches for 695 yards and three touchdowns in 28 games, including 24 starts, since the Eagles made him the 21st pick in the 2020 draft.
Jefferson, who the Vikings selected at No. 22 overall, has posted back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons, logging 196-catches for 3,016 yards and 17 touchdowns.
