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Just for coach, Zach is back

 

Yesterday, the Eagles officially signed former Colt wide receiver Zach Pascal. 

The Good:

  • Age: Pascal is 27, theoretically entering his career prime. 
  • Familiarity: Pascal is a favorite of head coach Nick Sirianni, the offensive coordinator at Indy 2018-2020.  Sirianni repeatedly uses Pascal as an example of a bubble roster player who made the Colts 53-man roster based upon his performance.  The Colts heavily emphasized the run, and presuming the Eagles will continue to do so next year, Pascal is familiar with and fits into a run heavy attack. 
  • Cost: At 1.5M guaranteed, this is an inexpensive contract for a contributing veteran presence. 
  • Grit: Sirianni has emphasized the receiver played an integral part in the coach adopting “DAWG mentality” as a catchphrase for the culture he continues to establish in Philadelphia.  Pascal is an able and willing blocker in the run game, and he brings the quality of physicality to the position.  “I’m going to grind it out, regardless of the situation,” he said. “It helps me mentally. I take that in life... I accept all challenges, and I think that has helped me come a long way.”
  • Position: He can play in the slot, which would allow Quez Watkins to move to his more natural “X” spot.  He provides insurance at all the receiver positions. 
  • Flexibility: Pascal can play multiple roles on ST, a key requirement for a reserve receiver.  He is a role player, but can potentially step up to do more (averaged 42-618-5 in 2019-2020, pre-Wentz).
  • Red Zone: Pascal has shown an affinity to make plays in the red zone, playing “big.”  Additionally, his excellent skills there as a blocker add to the Eagles run game threat there, especially inside the 10. 
  • Leadership: Pascal’s familiarity with Sirianni, his system and culture will make him a natural leader in an otherwise young receiving room.   
  • Upgrade: JJ Arcega Whiteside (16-290-1 in 40 games), Jalen Reagor (64-695-3 in 28 games) and Greg Ward (88-768-10 in 40 games) are the current Eagle 3-5 receivers.  Pascal (150-1888-15 in 64 games) appears a clear upgrade to them. 

The Bad:

  • Statistics: Pascal played over 80% of the Colts snaps last season.  With that playing time, he only caught 38 passes for 384 yards and three touchdowns. Pro Football Focus graded Pascal as one of the worst receivers in the league last year (113 out of 115).  His advanced metrics aren’t much better.
  • Pedigree: Undrafted out of Old Dominion in 2017, he was signed by Washington as a RFA. He was cut out of training camp.  Soon after, Tennessee added him to their practice squad.  Then, on 9/20/17, he was promoted him to the active roster. But that didn’t last long. 3 days later, he was cut. Then he joined Indy, where he’s spent most of his NFL time and, prior to 2021 (with Wentz), had a modicum of success. 

The Ugly:

  • Draft: The preferred role for Pascal on the Eagles means they’ll need to spend a premium draft pick (again, for the 4th consecutive draft) on a wide receiver to optimally position Pascal on the roster. 
  • Usage: The Eagles failed pursuits of Calvin Ridley, Christian Kirk and Allen Robinson suggests they wanted to add a difference-maker to work with Devonta Smith and Quez Watkins.  If Pascal was signed in lieu of that difference-maker, the Eagles are in trouble... Pascal won’t fit that bill (If, however, Pascal is the 4th receiver behind Smith, Watkins & a premium draft pick, his addition makes sense). 

Eagles Lessons: The key to this signing… Usage.  The Eagles will need to get a good talent ahead of Pascal (and likely Watkins) in the receiver room.  If they do that, Pascal is a solid 4th receiver who can serve as a leader and provide quality depth.  However, Pascal carries less appeal with a role as a teams starting wide receiver.    

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