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No Miles times 2

 

The Eagles had an opportunity to add a second Miles to their team yesterday (in addition to Miles Sanders).  Miles Boykin was a 6’4” 25 year old 3rd round pick by the Baltimore Ravens in 2019, with terrific measurables (His spider chart showed top 21% receiving measurables in 10 of 11 metrics, top 10% for 3 of those).  He was not, however, a productive Raven receiver (over 3 years averaged 11 catches a year for 157 yards and 2 TD’s).  The Ravens cut him recently. 

 He was a physical player when drafted from Notre Dame in 2019.   He was projected to be a receiver that would require time to develop (Sounds like North Dakota receiver Chris Watson, projected to be a raw 2nd or 3rd round pick from North Dakota State).  He got time to develop as a Raven. So why bet on a Boykin that did not succeed:

  • Baltimore has allegedly not been great at developing receivers in recent seasons
  • Baltimore is a run heavy offense
  • Boykin had a 2021 hammy which cost him his first 8 games, allowing others on the roster to pass him

Boykin brings certain traits that might have appealed to the Eagles:

  • Play action- Like Baltimore, the Eagles threat to run can enable designed play action for Boykin.
  • Deep passes- Boykin has the size/speed quotient to get open on a post pattern (Like Quez).
  • Boykin’s size/speed cretes a nice target for Jalen

 The Eagles depth chart has Devonta Smith as the #1, Quez Watkins as the #2, Probably Zach Pascal as the #3, and then Jalen Raegor as the #4, Greg Ward as the #5 and JJ Arcega Whiteside as the #6.  Further depth includes recently signed Olympian Devon Allen and 3rd year player John Hightower. 

 The Pittsburgh Steelers claimed Boykin.  I am assuming the Eagles have a plan, and Boykin did not fit.  They have a roster chock full of young receivers already, and Boykin clearly has upside & flaws.  I just find it interesting the Eagles elected not to either trade with the Ravens before he was cut, or claim Boykin after he was cut.

Eagles Lesson:  With all the rumors circulating around potential Eagle Wide Receiver additions, I’ll be curious to see the next shoe to drop (presumably in the NFL draft).  Boykin appeared an interesting option to at least supplement the “back end” of the Eagle receiver room.

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