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2014 NFL Draft Rumors: Philadelphia Eagles replacing DeSean Jackson in draft?

By Patrick Schmidt

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Nov 9, 2013; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Mike Evans (13) warms up before the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 9, 2013; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Mike Evans (13) warms up before the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports /

The Philadelphia Eagles released DeSean Jackson after he recorded career-highs in receptions (82) and yards (1,332) while tying his career-best with nine touchdowns, so how do the Eagles replace his production?

The 2014 NFL draft features a deep class of wide receivers that could pique the interest of Chip Kelly in the first couple rounds where NFL Network’s Charles Davis thinks the Eagles could target LSU’s Odell Beckham Jr. Oregon State’s Brandin Cooks, Florida State’s Kelvin Benjamin and USC’s Marqise Lee with the 22nd pick in the first round.

Beckham, Cooks and Lee would be similar players to Jackson in style where they are players who create separation with their speed and can make plays after the catch.

Benjamin would be a bigger target at 6-5 as would former Texas A&M Aggies receiver Mike Evans who Kelly saw at his pro day on Thursday and who has a visit lined up with the Eagles before the draft.

The Eagles would have to trade up to land the 6-5, 321-pound Evans, perhaps by as much as 12-13 spots to land Johnny Manziel‘s top weapon the last two seasons. The Eagles would not have to move and would still have the option to draft from at least a couple of the aforementioned names, but would Evans be too good to pass up?

The draft is not for about five more weeks, but the intrigue is really heating up, especially after today’s releasing of Jackson and they won’t be hurting for a number of attractive and cheaper options to replace him.

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