Jordan Matthews

Between knee, thumb and ankle injuries and a trade to the passing-game wasteland in Buffalo, 2017 was a lost season for Matthews, who saw only 36 targets and scored once. He had surgery on both the knee and ankle in December and signed an incentive-laden contract with the Patriots in April. At 6-3, 212, and with 4.46 speed, Matthews is big and fast, and he produced with average quarterback play his first three seasons in the league - more than 800 yards in each and 19 TDs over 46 games. A hamstring injury led to Matthews getting released and he'll look to carve out a role somewhere once he's healthy.

Due to the offseason additions of Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith, Matthews' future with the Eagles still wasn't in question. Instead, a reduction in targets was expected. After one preseason game, though, Matthews found himself in different climes following a trade to Buffalo. He'll thus be the top target for Tyrod Taylor, who exchanged Sammy Watkins and Robert Woods for Matthews and Zay Jones, among other wideouts. Last season, Matthews' 6.9 YPT ranked 34th, while he hauled in just 13 passes of 20 or more yards and one of 40-plus yards on 117 targets. Granted, he was working with a rookie QB in Carson Wentz, but Matthews will have to develop a rapport with Taylor in order to produce consistently. As the No. 1 wideout in town, Matthews will have a great chance to reach the 1,000-yard threshold for the first time in his career, health-permitting.

Matthews took over as the team's top target last year, but didn't get going until late in the season. His year-end totals were passable, but he made few big plays (three catches of 40-plus on 128 targets), wasn't especially efficient (7.8 YPT) and did much of his damage in Weeks 15-17 when it was too late. At 6-3, 212, with 4.46 40 speed, Matthews has the frame and athleticism to be a No. 1 NFL receiver, and this year he could be used both in the slot, where he played under Chip Kelly, and outside under new head coach Doug Pederson. But Pederson was Andy Reid's offensive coordinator in Kansas City, so it's possible he'll bring its low-octane dink-and-dunk attack to Philadelphia with him. Even if Pederson opens it up, Matthews will have to contend with the disappointing Sam Bradford and quite likely have to help break in rookie Carson Wentz when Bradford struggles or gets hurt. Matthews also has some competition for targets in second-year man Nelson Agholor and newly-acquired Rueben Randle, either of whom could carve into his role if he struggles.

Matthews might be the most obvious breakout candidate in this year's player pool. Not only did he have a strong rookie season (8.5 YPT on 103 targets), but the Eagles let Jeremy Maclin walk, making Matthews the de facto No. 1 target in what projects to be the league's fastest-paced offense. Moreover, at 6-3, 212, and running a 4.46 40, Matthews has the size/speed qualifications to take on the role, and Year 2 is frequently when receivers take a significant leap forward. Matthews will have to contend with an unsettled quarterback situation in Philadelphia with newly acquired Sam Bradford returning from an ACL tear and Mark Sanchez competing for the job. But Matthews had all three of his 100-yard games and six of his eight scores with Sanchez under center last year. The Eagles will run the ball a lot, especially with DeMarco Murray and Ryan Mathews now in the fold, and they tend to spread the ball around, but Maclin racked up 145 targets last year as the team's top option. And while the team drafted Nelson Agholor late in the first round, the receiving corps lacks quality depth behind Matthews, as the uninspiring Riley Cooper and Miles Austin are the other options.

Taken in the second round by the Eagles, Matthews could hardly have landed in a better spot. At 6-3, 212 and running a 4.46 40, he has the size/speed combo to be an NFL No. 1 eventually, but will likely open the season as the team’s No. 3 behind Jeremy Maclin and Riley Cooper. Coach Chip Kelly likes to mix things up, though, and the distribution of targets between the three as well as the team’s two pass-catching tight ends is hardly set in stone.