21st Overall (Eagles) – Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
Pick made by Graham Tiedtke – Contributor
The Philadelphia Eagles are in need of a speed-burner at the wide receiver position after they moved on from Nelson Agholor. With the 21st pick in the draft, the Eagles take LSU wide receiver Justin Jefferson.
Jefferson would fit nicely in the Eagles offense due to his awesome catch radius and ability to track the football. In the NFL, you need to have tremendous focus. It is so easy to lose it.
The 6’1” Jefferson can take the ball after a short route and make something happen. If you want to run a wide receiver screen, I think that he would be an ideal target for the play. He is not the best at creating separation between the defender but has nice play-making ability.
Jefferson also showed off his strength in college, being able to fight for extra yardage when defenders are grabbing onto him.
According to Pro Football Focus, Jefferson caught the highest percentage of contested passes among 98 draft-eligible FBS wide receivers, bringing in 12 of his 13 targets (92.3%).
The Eagles’ No. 1 receiver, Alshon Jeffery, finished fourth on the team in receptions. The three players ahead of him were: Zach Ertz, Dallas Goedert (both of whom are tight ends), and Miles Sanders, a running back. The Eagles need this guy. They need him badly.
DeSean Jackson isn’t getting any younger. The once-speedy receiver is 33-years old.