On Day 1 of NFL free agency, the Philadelphia Eagles signed Alshon Jeffery, a true No. 1 wide receiver outside of the numbers with the frame and catch radius to create matchups at multiple levels of the field. Let's break down the skill set of the 6-foot-3, 218-pound receiver and discuss how he can impact the Eagles' offense in 2017.
Red zone matchups
Even after a subpar 2016 working with multiple quarterbacks in Chicago and limited red zone targets (12 total targets), Jeffery still has 14 career touchdown receptions inside of the 20-yard line. He's a true matchup weapon on isolation routes with the massive catch radius to pluck the ball outside of his frame.
Throw the slant and fade. Start there. This allows Jeffery to win with route running, size and body control. That means shielding the defender from the ball (after creating leverage inside) on the slant or climbing the ladder to make the play at the highest point on the quick fade route. Find the matchup, create a true one-on-one and give your receiver a chance to finish the play.
Here's an example from the 2016 tape with Jeffery's touchdown versus the Minnesota Vikings. The route? The slant versus off-man coverage.
With the Bears using play-action off the snap, quarterback Jay Cutler is going to anticipate an inside throwing window over the top of the safety rolling down. That allows Jeffery, working versus the off-man cushion of cornerback Trae Waynes, to push up the field at the release. Sell the vertical stem, force Waynes to give ground (increase his depth) and then break to the slant. It's a clean route. And it puts Jeffery in a position where he can create leverage to ball with the defensive back stuck to the outside. That's six points all day as Jeffery secures the catch and absorbs the contact before finding the end zone.
Jeffery does have the formation flexibility to bump down to the slot for zone beaters in the red zone (seam route versus Cover 2 or quarters). But he's a really tough cover for corners one-on-one on the perimeter because of his size and physicality. Look for the Eagles to take advantage of that in the red zone next season.
50-50 throws
Jeffery gives QB Carson Wentz the ability to take more calculated risks in the passing game on 50-50 throws. Even when Jeffery looks "covered," the ball needs to come out. Take a shot and put Jeffery in a position where he can play above the rim to finish.
This is going to show up on the fade route or double moves outside versus both single- and double-high safety looks. That allows Wentz to challenge man coverage down the field (and on the back-shoulder fade) while also targeting the deep hole versus Cover 2. Jeffery is strong at the point of attack and he can adjust to play the ball.
Check out this example with Jeffery running the double move (slant-and-go) versus Texans' cornerback Kevin Johnson.
With the ball between the 40s ("shot zone"), the Bears are looking to make a big play down the field versus off-man coverage. That puts Jeffery in a position to get a clean release, sell the in-cut and then stem outside to the boundary as Cutler holds the free safety with his eyes. Johnson plays this well, keeping his shoulders square through the break. That allows the defensive back to open and run with the route. But instead of checking this ball down, Cutler gives Jeffery an opportunity to make a play. Even with Jeffery "covered," the wide receiver tracks the ball, adjusts and climbs the ladder to finish. That's nasty.
The 50-50 ball isn't a high-percentage throw like the dig or the curl. We all understand that. But when you have a target down the field like Jeffery, with the skill set to make these plays, it can become a major part of the offensive game plan. Read the coverage, move the safety or target the open throwing window versus two-deep coverage. Jeffery will bring that big-play ability to the Doug Pederson's call sheet in Philly, even when he's not truly open.
Third-down production
Jeffery's pass target covered 13.1 yards in the air last season, which meshes with his ability in the intermediate passing game. That is critical when the Eagles need to move the sticks on third down.
Think inside breaking cuts here with enough separation at the top of the route. That's where Jeffery can use his frame to generate leverage. Pin the defensive back to the outside or catch the ball in a mess of bodies on middle-of-the-field throws. That sells on third down.
Take a look at this route Jeffery ran versus the Buccaneers and cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III. Remember, size wins at the point of attack.
This isn't a super clean route from Jeffery (he rounds off his break), but that's exactly why I wanted to use this example because it highlights his ability at the catch point. With an inside release and vertical stem, Jeffery lengthens the pedal of Hargreaves and creates some separation on the short dig route (square-in). Now it comes down to a size matchup as Jeffery essentially boxes out the smaller Hargreaves with the ball on the way. Even with the rounded break, Jeffery is still in a position to use that frame as Cutler delivers the ball.
Jeffery is going to be a staple in the three-step passing game for the Eagles, and he can produce after the catch on wide receiver screens or RPOs (run-pass options). NFL players make their money on third downs. Landing Jeffery gives Wentz a reliable target who can win on throws in the middle of the field.
The deep ball
Jeffery isn't a true burner who puts consistent stress on the top of the defense with his straight-line speed. Based on the tape I watch, Jeffery plays at a 4.55 speed on the field. However, because of his ability to beat press and stack on top of defenders, he will create some deep-ball opportunities for the Eagles this season.
Again, this doesn't have to be complicated with Jeffery. If Wentz reads press-man, or blitz coverage with a single-high safety, then check to the fade. Find the matchup with Jeffery and take a quick shot down the boundary.
Here's an example with Jeffery beating press and winning over the top on the fade route versus the Colts and cornerback Patrick Robinson.
This is straightforward with quarterback Brian Hoyer reading the single-high safety defense and press coverage outside. The key is Jeffery's ability to win at the line. That's what we see here as the wide receiver runs right through the jam of Robinson. Physical stuff. This allows Jeffery to separate and stack on top of the cornerback. He now controls the route and once again adjusts to make the play (at the highest point) on an underthrown pass from Hoyer.
Jeffery isn't DeSean Jackson, a receiver who consistently flips the field because of his deep-ball speed. But Jeffery can still create explosive plays when he has the matchup outside. Throw the fade, challenge Cover 2 on deep corner routes and mix in some double moves. Again, cater to his ability to beat press and win down the field.
The Eagles are getting a legit No. 1 at wide receiver. That's what I see on tape. And even when considering Jeffery's availability concerns (past injuries and the four-game suspension in 2016), I expect the WR's numbers to rise when paired with Wentz this season. He's a fit for the scheme, and the size/physical skill set he brings to the field will create issues for opposing defenses.