Maclin's value

[Melchior]

I'm not a fan of Crabtree. I actually don't think he's that physical. He's just bigger.

[GroundedBird]

I'd rather quietly pursue Demaryius Thomas. He's got the size and speed. It will be difficult to pry him from Denver but I think he's worth it.

If we can get Thomas, I'd be okay letting Maclin walk if I can draft Justin Hardy. (He's averaged close to 100 catches in the past three years). Move him to slot.

Then you'd have Thomas and Matthews as WRs with Hardy in the slot. That's about as sure handed as you can get.

[Greenstealth]

I don't like the idea of Matthews playing outside, but I guess he can't be any worse than riley

[Sect 236]

Maclin (at the right price) and Huff on the outside with Matthews in the slot and a rookie as #4 will be fine.

Cooper should only play special teams.

[Dan Drives a Van]

The Eagles wouldn't pay DJax - a more valuable weapon - 10M a year. Which I agree with.

So why pay that much to Maclin?

Because culture beats scheme. That's why.

Not that I really agree with it, but there it is.

They're paying Cooper 5 million a year because he's willing to block and drinks his smoothies. I'm hoping Maclin is also a smoothie enthusiast.

[GroundedBird]

Interesting thing about Matthews is that he's 6'3" 212 but ran a 4.46 at the combines. That's the same time that Huff is reported to have run.

Matthews -> http://www.nfl.com/draft/2014/profil...ews?id=2543500

He might be a good fit for the outside.

Having the three may reduce the numbers of 3 and outs. This should help the defense.

[Sect 236]

When they peg a guy for a position, they're pretty firm in keeping him there, like Boykin in the slot.

They love Matthews in the slot and Chip has said he wants his slot guy to be big and physical.

They could move him outside ultimately though, who knows.

[Raptor]

Cooper was starting to see time in the slot

When they peg a guy for a position, they're pretty firm in keeping him there, like Boykin in the slot.

They love Matthews in the slot and Chip has said he wants his slot guy to be big and physical.

They could move him outside ultimately though, who knows.

...last game of the season...I could see Cooper moving there and the faster Mathews going outside.

[Sect 236]

I hope not. Not the Matthews going outside part, he'd be fine there, it's the Cooper playing anywhere part that sucks.

Josh Huff, with all of his rookie mistakes, is an infinitely better choice for slot or out wide over Cooper. Any rookie they pick, in any round, would be hard pressed to be as lackluster as Cooper was as an offensive contributor.

Howie's contract for his boy Coop means he will be here either way, but I don't want him on the field at all unless it's for special teams.

[Raptor]

Go back and watch the Giants game..

I hope not. Not the Matthews going outside part, he'd be fine there, it's the Cooper playing anywhere part that sucks.

Josh Huff, with all of his rookie mistakes, is an infinitely better choice for slot or out wide over Cooper. Any rookie they pick, in any round, would be hard pressed to be as lackluster as Cooper was as an offensive contributor.

Howie's contract for his boy Coop means he will be here either way, but I don't want him on the field at all unless it's for special teams.

...not sure about the Skinz game....I have no idea what Coop's fate will be despite what fans feel...but Cooper lining up and having success in the slot near the end of the season could be a sign of things to come. Just saying.

Of course all of that will also ride on:

1) who is QBing and how they operate.
2) the developement of both Mathews and importantly Huff's
3 how free agency works out..Maclin, an unknown FA
4) do we draft anyone??

[Sect 236]

It was the Skins game where he caught his two TDs. Finished 5 for 53 in that game.

The Giants he finished 2 for 37.

To me, one of the defining characteristics of a slot receiver is their ability to catch the ball and pick up some good YAC. Matthews did that well (6.2 YAC). I can see Huff, with his flashes on special teams, being able to do that well (10 YAC, in limited snaps). Cooper, not so much (3 YAC). He struggles to get open, and when he is "open" it's not wide open, allowing guys to make a tackle rather quickly on him. Do you see him having the quickness and route precision necessary to be a good slot guy?

Maybe Cooper plays better in the slot, can't play any worse than he did out wide this year, but I think we know what Cooper is at this point.

Your 4 points are all very valid though.

[JDuggernaut]

I think I'd resign Maclin and draft Dorial Green-Beckham. He's a 1st round talent that will likely fall to the later rounds. Would be an instant matchup problem and upgrade over Cooper.

[ishimonster]

Yeah, he's just the type of high-character guy Chip goes after..

[ishimonster]

The system will only get you so far;

Sure. Depends on price but he's better than Maclin. But I doubt Chip will.

Actually I'd go with a rookie or cheap FA. No reason to spend big bucks on a receiver in Kelly's offense.

The talent still has to be there.

Sure the system will slightly inflate the production and perceived quality of a given receiver but without a talented #1 there's no respect from the defense. Few big plays. No running game. Jmac is a solid #1 with a decent 2 across from him (which Riley isn't). Damn. ANY chump will not be able to replicate Maclin's production this past season. Why voluntarily create another hole on this team?

[JDuggernaut]

I realize it would be a departure from Chip's previous philosophy, but you could possibly get a bonafide 1st round talent in the 4th round. If it doesn't work, he'd be easy to get rid of.