Adrian Fedkiw
A depleted wide receiving core and ineptitude surrounding the position overall has opened up an opportunity for DeAndre Carter.
He’s seizing it.
Carter, on his fifth team after going undrafted in 2014 out of Sacramento State, has showed off his athleticism and explosion this preseason. He was thrust into the slot with the first team during the Philadelphia Eagles’ 5-0 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Thursday night and caught four balls for 73 yards. One of those receptions came on this 29-yard out-and-up where Carter displays a quick get-off and adjusting on this underthrown ball. If Nick Foles hit him in stride, it could’ve went for a touchdown.
This is a huge night to make an impression for someone like a DeAndre Carter, who makes this catch on an out-and-up. With uncertainty surrounding the 6th WR spot, impressive showings his final two games could sneak him on the team. pic.twitter.com/B4ccIauPSx
— The Bitter Birds (@AdrianFedkiw) August 24, 2018
Carter has also showed some explosion with the ball in his hands. He’s created some YAC for himself on screens and recorded a 29-yard punt return Thursday against Cleveland.
Maybe he's just the next Rasheed Bailey or Paul Turner, but DeAndre Carter may make this football team. He's got speed, solid get-off and some explosion with the ball in his hands. A depleted receiving core has opened up an opportunity and he's seizing it. pic.twitter.com/dyb5YlQ2zi
— The Bitter Birds (@AdrianFedkiw) August 24, 2018
The five locks to make the roster at wideout are Alshon Jeffery, Mike Wallace, Mack Hollins, Nelson Agholor and Shelton Gibson.
The sixth wide receiver spot is completely up for grabs — if the Eagles decide to even keep six — due to ineptitude among the veterans and Carter could sneak onto the roster. Markus Wheaton hasn’t played, Kamar Aiken has had a case of the drops, Bryce Treggs has a hamstring injury and Greg Ward hasn’t taken the step I expected him to take.
There are other factors to keep in mind because tight end Richard Rodgers is week-to-week with a knee injury. The Eagles could elect to keep an extra tight end. They could decide to keep an extra lineman, running back, it could be anybody at another position. Maybe the Eagles don’t like any of the candidates at wide receiver for the No. 6 spot and pluck someone off waivers once 53-man rosters around the NFL are revealed.
Whatever the case may be, Carter is going to make Pederson’s decision difficult. As of right now, he deserves to make the team.
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