With all the speed the Eagles acquired at the wide receiver position this offseason, it’s easy to overlook Greg Ward. The 24-year-old wideout has had a tumultuous four-year playing career.
He entered the league as an undrafted rookie in 2017, transitioning from quarterback to wideout. He spent the 2017 season on the Eagles practice squad before leaving the team to play in the short lived AAF in 2018. There, he started to develop his skills as a wideout, hauling in 22 receptions for 214 yards. Nothing too eye popping, but it was enough for the Eagles to bring him back to their practice squad at the start of the 2019 season.
After the absurd amount of injuries to the receiving group, Ward got the call up and became the full time starting slot receiver from week 12 on. Over those six games, Ward was easily the team’s most reliable wideout, leading all Eagles receivers in receptions and receiving yards over that time span.
He finished the year with 28 receptions for 254 yards and a touchdown. Project that output over an entire 16 game season, and we see the kind of production Ward could potentially have moving forward. A 16 game output would look something like 74 catches for 650-700 yards and 3-4 touchdowns.
Nelson Agholor, the team’s starting slot receiver since 2017, has never gone over 70 catches. He’s had better touchdown numbers, but if Ward could just be a reliable third down guy who can consistently move the chains, the Eagles already have a handful of explosive guys who can get in the end zone on any given play.
Both Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert have proven to be great weapons over the middle. Having a smaller, more shifty weapon who Wentz can hit on crossers will force defenses to stay on their toes. Having two big bodies who can make contested catches is great, but having a quicker option to go to in certain situations is valuable as well.
Ward can be that guy for this offense. Essentially, he can be what we all hoped Agholor would eventually become.
The chances of Ward having a breakout year in 2020 feels pretty high. He’s been overshadowed by some of the bigger names the Eagles have acquired this offseason, and some of the guys returning from injury. But, Ward earned his spot on this team with his play at the end of last season. Fans should be excited about what this guy can bring to Doug Pederson’s offense.
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