When you have A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith as your starting wide receivers, you know that you have two of the very best in the entire NFL, players who are at the top of their games, who are selfless, who care about each other, who root for each other, and who happen to complement each other on the field to perfection.
You know that your wide receiver position is among the best in the league with those two standout players leading the way. Both players signed long-term contract extensions in the offseason, both are in their prime seasons, and both are in total lockstep with quarterback Jalen Hurts in this offense.
For the Eagles, Training Camp and the preseason is going to be about discovering who else makes this wide receiver position as deep and talented and versatile as it can be.
With that in mind, the Eagles have a total of 11 wide receivers on their Training Camp roster. They've got all shapes and sizes, with speedy receivers mixing in with physical, larger-bodied players. They have players with a lot of NFL experience, players who are hopeful to get their careers back on track, and rookies looking to make a strong entry to the league.
Britain Covey, one of the NFL's most lethal punt returners, is back for his third season here and wants to impress the coaching staff to earn some time as a receiver. The truth is, the field is wide open behind Brown and Smith and that is going to create great competition at a must-watch position in the summer.
The other eight receivers on the roster include Parris Campbell, a veteran of the game from his seasons in Indianapolis and New York, and John Ross, a former first-round draft pick in 2017 and one of the fastest players ever recorded at the NFL Combine who retired and is now attempting a comeback. There are two draft picks, fifth-rounder Ainias Smith and sixth-round selection Johnny Wilson.
Jacob Harris has played in 18 NFL games and has one career reception with the Rams and Jacksonville. Joseph Ngata was with the Eagles on the practice squad last season. Shaquan Davis spent time last season on the Saints' practice squad and Austin Watkins has spent time with San Francisco, Tampa Bay, and Cleveland and has also played in the CFL before joining the Eagles.
So, there is a lot of variety in the backstories of this wide receiver room. The goal is to find the best to add to the talent level behind Smith and Brown.
"Support system. I think it's family. When you care about somebody that you love and you're playing beside people that you love, you go to bat for them. You play a little harder. That being Jalen (Hurts), Smitty, other guys in the room, on the team. That's what it is. Just pushing each other to be great." – A.J. Brown on his success as an Eagle
New to the Nest: Other than Brown, Smith, Covey, and Ngata, the Eagles are welcoming in a new group of wide receivers, so in many respects this is a clean-slate approach to fill depth and add competition. Players are going to have chances to step up and make this active roster.
Bird Talk: "Support system. I think it's family. When you care about somebody that you love and you're playing beside people that you love, you go to bat for them. You play a little harder. That being Jalen (Hurts), Smitty, other guys in the room, on the team. That's what it is. Just pushing each other to be great." – A.J. Brown on his success as an Eagle
Notable Stat: A.J. Brown had 1,496 receiving yards in 2022 and 1,456 receiving yards in 2023, becoming the first Eagle in team history to produce multiple seasons with more than 1,400 receiving yards.
Under the Microscope: Who is the slot receiver here? Can Campbell and Ross provide veteran depth and experience here or are the Eagles going to go with younger receivers in key roles? How does the offense utilize the jack-of-all-trades talents of Ainias Smith and also find ways to involve Wilson, all 6-foot-6 of him, in the offense?
