NFL

Eagles notebook: Birds trying to find perfect receiver for Carson Wentz

Eagles notebook: Birds trying to find perfect receiver for Carson Wentz
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The Eagles have about $11 million in cap space, so they’ll have to get creative if they want to bring in a few difference makers this offseason.

That’s why the latest rumor has the team’s leading wide receiver, Jordan Matthews, as someone who could be included in a trade -according to Yahoo Sports, Charles Robinson.

Trading away Matthews makes a lot of sense as he enters the final season on his rookie contract in which it appears unlikely he comes back anyways. When the Eagles were doling out new deals last offseason to their young players, Matthews was not included in the list, a clear sign that this organization just didn’t see him as part of their future at the time.

Not much has changed between then and now, so why not package Matthews in a deal and see what the return could be?

If there ever was an offseason to cut ties with your leading receiver, this seems to the one. The free agent pool is littered with high-end talent in Alshon Jeffery, Terrelle Pryor and Brandon Marshall. There’s a ton of quality options after those threein Kenny Stills, DeSean Jackson, Kenny Britt and Pierre Garcon. The draft, too, features some intriguing options for the Eagles and their 14th overall selection as one of the top two wideouts, Mike Williams and Corey Davis, could slide to their pick.

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There’s also the rumored breakup between the New Orleans Saints and Brandin Cooks that will make whoever lands the two-time 1,000 yard receiver very happy. The Eagles are reportedly one of those teams hoping to snag him.

Point being: the Eagles have numerous ways of giving Carson Wentz the help he deserves this offseason, even if it means parting ways with his top target from a year ago.

Cap casualties are coming

ESPN’s Adam Caplan reported that the Eagles’ decision on whether or not to keep Mychal Kendricks will amp up this week as $4.35 of his $4.85 million base salary becomes fully guaranteed by Saturday.

There’s been much talk following Kendrick’s frustrating season and his usage as to where he fits in this organization. All signs point to him playing elsewhere in 2017, so expect to see something transpire this week with Kendricks. If he remains an Eagle past the weekend, he can still be included in a trade on draft day.

Some other names to keep an eye on are Connor Barwin, Ryan Mathews and Jason Kelce. There’s a good chance at least one of them gets moved before or on draft day to clear cap space.

How about John Ross?

When you run a 4.22, you’ll find yourself on the radar of all 32 NFL franchises.

The Eagles surely took notice of what the Washington product did over the weekend, especially when doing so at a position the team is looking to overhaul. The Pac-12 receiver caught 81 passes for 1,150 yards and 17 touchdowns last season as a junior.

If speed is truly what the Eagles want, as reports of their interest in Kenny Stills and a reunion with DeSean Jackson suggest, Ross has to be on their board at pick 14.