The Philadelphia Eagles attempted just under 35 passes per game last season. That is about six less pass attempts per outing than the Detroit Lions or New Orleans Saints. While this doesn't seem like a vast differential, it is. This number equates to about 100 pass attempts throughout the duration of a season.
Jeremy Maclin and DeSean Jackson represented 37 percent of all the Eagles' completed passes last season. Additionally, Philadelphia has a running back by the name of LeSean McCoy who averaged 5.1 yards per touch last season.
In short, there really aren't enough balls to go around for both Maclin and Jackson to be consistent fantasy players in 2012.
So, which one do you choose?
It is pretty close in the grand scheme of things. Maclin had five more receptions, while Jackson accumulated about 100 more yards. They were also within a single touchdown of one another. At this point it is hard to believe that either receiver is going to be a WR2 in fantasy football this season. There are just too many factors going against them, mainly the existence of the other one on the same team.
If I had to choose, it would be Jackson. The enigmatic former Pro Bowl receiver has accumulated two 1,000 yard seasons, while Maclin has yet to reach that plateau in any of his first three NFL seasons. You also have to take into account the motivation factor as it relates to Jackson, who was playing under the franchise tag in 2011. He seemed to disengage at certain times last season, which caused inconsistent performances. Jackson was signed to a long-term extension in the offseason and appears more motivated than ever.
Jackson has 71 catches of 20-plus yards in four NFL seasons, while Maclin has put up a total of just 39 in three seasons. You might get consistently average production from Maclin on a weekly basis, but Jackson will provide you with that deep threat that a lot of fantasy owners look for in a WR3.
I am going against the grain in coming to this conclusion. ESPN has Maclin ranked at No. 22 among wide receivers, five spots ahead of Jackson. In doing so, the experts on that news outlet are expecting Maclin to be a borderline WR2. I simply don't buy that idea. An increased workload from the aforementioned McCoy coupled with a motivated Jackson is going to take targets away from Maclin.
If you are going to rely on either of these receivers to be your complementary No. 2, which I would advice against, it would have to be Jackson at this point.
Information and statistics http://games.espn.go.com/ffl/tools/projections?slotCategoryId=4