Of the many additions to the NFC East this offseason, our ESPN.com reporters agree the Philadelphia Eagles stand to benefit the most with the addition of wide receiver Alshon Jeffery.
Todd Archer, Dallas Cowboys reporter: I’ve tried to come up with a way to decide between the two, but I just can’t. I’m going with the Eagles' additions of Jeffery and LeGarrette Blount. The Eagles went all-in on Carson Wentz last year with their trade up to the No. 2 overall pick, and he showed promise. What will help him show more promise is better players around him. Jeffery, if healthy, can be a big-time playmaker. The Cowboys witnessed it firsthand a few years ago when he was with the Chicago Bears. Blount ran for more than 1,000 yards and scored 18 rushing touchdowns last season for the New England Patriots. The better the Eagles can run the ball, the better life will be for Wentz. The better they can make plays down the field, the better for Wentz.
Jordan Raanan, New York Giants reporter: Jeffery. When healthy, he's a Pro Bowl player. He’s a difference-maker who had more than 1,400 receiving yards in his second professional season. That is Odell Beckham-esque production. Jeffery can make a significant impact on the Eagles' offense this season because he's immediately their No. 1 receiver. He's immediately Wentz's go-to guy. Philadelphia didn’t have a strong presence at wide receiver last season. So the jump from Nelson Agholor (36 receptions, 365 yards, 2 touchdowns in 14 starts) to Jeffery is gargantuan. Jeffery provides the Eagles with an offensive weapon that actually scares the rest of the NFC East.
Tim McManus, Philadelphia Eagles reporter: Jeffery. New Giants wide receiver Brandon Marshall is the more accomplished of the former Chicago wideouts, but Jeffery (27) is six years younger and still in the thick of his prime. He provides a significant upgrade to an Eagles receiving corps that finished 31st in yards and last in drop rate a season ago. Wentz is already seeing the benefits. Jeffery, with a huge catch radius and sticky hands, caught just about everything thrown his way this spring. He’ll significantly increase Wentz’s margin for error and provide the security blanket he needs, particularly on third down and in the red zone. Jeffery has been hampered by injuries the past two seasons and was suspended four games for violating the performance-enhancing drugs policy in 2016. He’s no slam dunk. But operating on a one-year deal, Jeffery should be plenty motivated and is in a good environment for success.
John Keim, Washington Redskins reporter: Jeffery -- assuming he stays healthy, of course. And that’s no small issue. He has played in all 16 games twice in his five seasons (last year’s four-game absence was due to a suspension). One name to watch here is Washington safety D.J. Swearinger, an ascending player, but one with questions about his maturity. But Jeffery is the sort of top target Philadelphia desperately needed. He averaged 15.8 yards per catch last season -- the second-highest average of his career -- though he has caught only six touchdown passes combined the past two years. Jeffery will be surrounded by good receiving talent with a young, strong-armed quarterback and a coach who will want to throw the ball. He is on a one-year prove-it contract, so if he wants a big payday next offseason, he’ll need a big year. Jeffery has averaged 80.4 yards per game the past four seasons; if he stays healthy, he’ll hit 1,200 yards in 2017. If.