Rookie Jordan Matthews shows potential

With the 42nd pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles selected wide receiver Jordan Matthews from Vanderbilt. Ever since fans heard those words this past May, excitement increasingly built around Matthews.

It all started back in mini camp and OTAs, where he stood out amongst rookies and other players. When the Eagles got to training camp, Matthews’ play got better, and during the preseason, many fans gave him the moniker of baby T.O. because of how he plays on the field as well as his number 81 jersey number.

Fast forward to Week 4 in the regular season, Matthews is starting to become a more integral part of the Eagles’ offense. In fact, last week against Washington was his best game as a pro as he had eight receptions for 59 yards and two touchdowns. Could this be the jump-start of Matthews’ potential to be a top wideout with this team? It sure looks like it will.

In week one against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Matthews had a quiet game as he only had two receptions for 37 yards. He was targeted by quarterback Nick Foles four times. In the first half, one of the passes Foles threw Matthews could have been a big catch and run if he did not overthrow him.

Then in week two versus the Indianapolis Colts, Matthews only had one reception for 17 yards. It was mentioned before that game, that he was dropping passes. This has been a conundrum of Matthews’ career, even at Vanderbilt where he had problems catching the ball. In the game versus the Colts, he was again only targeted four times.

Finally, we go back to this past Sunday’s game which was his breakout game. Washington must have not game-planned for Matthews as he made plays, especially in the red zone. Matthews, who is a big-body wide receiver at 6-foot-3 and 212 lbs, used his size to an advantage against Washington’s secondary.

With 5:53 left in the first half, the Eagles were on Washington’s eleven yard line as Nick Foles and the offense lined up in the shotgun formation with running back Darren Sproles in the backfield. Matthews lined up in the slot, almost were the tight end would be, and went down the seam against a Washington linebacker. Foles put the ball right on the numbers and found him for a touchdown.

Then, Matthews would score his second touchdown of the day to end the first half. Head coach Chip Kelly basically called the same play/formation that Matthews scored his first touchdown on. He went down the seam again against a Washington linebacker and Foles put it right on the numbers again.

Matthews could finally be that red zone option that the Eagles need going forward as Riley Cooper has not really returned to his 2013 form where he had 835 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. I would not be surprise if Matthews becomes the number two wide receiver in this offense later in the season if he continues to produce like he did in the Washington game.

Before we can jump that far, he still has to go up against the likes of secondaries such as San Francisco, St. Louis, Arizona, and Seattle. All of those secondaries will be a test for the young rookie wideout, but if he can make it through those tests admirably then who knows what can happen next season. He could be the team’s number one wide receiver. Let us not forget Jeremy Maclin is a free agent after this season. If he plays well, other teams will be bidding for his services, leaving the door open for Matthews.