With the 42nd pick in the 2014 NFL draft, the Philadelphia Eagles select: Jordan Matthews, wide receiver, Vanderbilt University.
All around the Philadephia area, cheers were abundant, hoots and hollers filled living rooms, and one player became the most focused prospect in the NFL.
Matthews is a 6'3 212 pound wide receiver that ran a 4.46 40-yard dash and put up 21 reps of 225 on the bench. Matthews also has an astounding 10 3/8" hands, which ranks among the top in this draft class. His measurables are good, his production was great in the SEC. His work ethic is second to none. He is rumored to be an incredible locker room guy and an excellent leader. He seems to be the whole package, and has not played a single down yet in Philadelphia.
Where does he fit in Philadelphia?
Chip Kelly has already named Matthews the starter in the slot for the Eagles, as he will be the third wide receiver on the field, right behind Riley Cooper and Jeremy Maclin. His role will be felt immediately, as the Eagles offense uses three receivers in almost every formation. In the red zone, he is another big target for Nick Foles and will get his share of looks in the end zone. Matthews can play on the outside, but will be dominant on the inside. Why is that? There are not many slot cornerbacks who can cover a 6'3 receiver that runs in the 4.4s. If they can, that means one of the other targets for the Eagles will be open, and Foles will find him.
What Matthews can be expected to do right away is help in the run game. One trait of his that often goes overlooked is his strength. At the combine, he was able to push out 21 reps of 225 on the bench, and on tape he showed the ability to drive his opponents back on blocks. In addition, during the week at Senior Bowl, Matthews showed impressive skill in one-on-ones to get in perfect position to either block, or eliminate opposing corners in blocking drills.
But, the Eagles did not draft Matthews just to block. He is one of the toughest receivers in the draft, and his ability to catch the ball in the middle of the field will help the Eagles offense spread out even more. Former speedster DeSean Jackson was not the best at making catches in traffic between the numbers, so Matthews will add another dynamic to the offense right away.
Matthews is also an underrated playmaker, as he showed time and time again at Vanderbilt. On multiple occasions, he was able to run away from his competition on quick screens, and that was his only knock by those in the draft community, tape speed. Matthews has proven to be good in all aspects of the game, and Chip Kelly and the Eagles will be sure to maximize his talents in any way possible this season and in the future.