Fansided

5 players who Eagles need to be great in 2019

By Rucker Haringey

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 03: Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up prior to the game against the Washington Redskins at Lincoln Financial Field on December 3, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 03: Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up prior to the game against the Washington Redskins at Lincoln Financial Field on December 3, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 21: Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson (10) catches a pass during the Philadelphia Eagles OTA on May 21, 2019 at the Novacare Training Complex in Philadelphia, PA (Photo by John Jones/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 21: Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson (10) catches a pass during the Philadelphia Eagles OTA on May 21, 2019 at the Novacare Training Complex in Philadelphia, PA (Photo by John Jones/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. DeSean Jackson

Jackson’s return to Philadelphia is generating a lot of headlines in the preseason. If the Eagles are going to reach their full potential this season, they need the diminutive wideout to make a lot of headlines during the season as well.

The 32-year-old isn’t the same explosive receiver that he was when he first left the team, but that’s good and bad news for the Eagles. He can’t turn as many short gains into touchdowns on the field, but he’s also much less likely to cause problems in the dressing room than he was in his younger days.

Even at his advanced age he was still a productive receiver for Tampa Bay last season. Despite inconsistent quarterback play, he still managed to catch 41 passes for 774 yards and four touchdowns in just 12 regular season games. The Eagles would love to see him extend that per game production over a full 16 game slate this year.

Not only does Jackson need to make catches himself, he also needs to create space for other receivers to operate in underneath. Look for Jackson to run a lot of deep routes to occupy opposing safeties. That could be the key to successful seasons from guys like Nelson Agholor and Zach Ertz underneath. Jackson doesn’t need to be Wentz’s No. 1 receiver, but he needs to perform like an above average starter to help this offense operate at its full capacity.

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