Alshon Jeffery is part of a familiar yet adjusted picture. The Philadelphia Eagles finally said goodbye to Nick Foles this past offseason. Foles is with the Jacksonville Jaguars while Carson Wentz received a new extension.
Wentz' extension is worth $128 million over four years and includes $107 million in guaranteed money. Injuries have been the only thing slowing down the franchise quarterback.
Another player who has had injuries hinder his career is Alshon Jeffery. He arrived in Philadephia after the 2016 season. Before joining the Eagles, Jeffery spent five years with the Chicago Bears, where he had two 1,000-yard seasons.
When Jeffery landed with the Eagles, he had one thing in mind: Win a Super Bowl. Jeffery never got to experience a playoff game while he played with the Bears. Then, in 2017, Jeffery became part of a historic playoff run with Philadelphia.
Wentz was out with an injury and in came Foles, whom everyone wrote off at the beginning. Foles kept lighting it up under center and led the Eagles to the Super Bowl. In the Super Bowl, the Eagles pulled off the impossible, beating Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.
It was something you would see in a movie, but a script wouldn't do it justice. After all the years of defeat in Chicago, Jeffery could call himself a Super Bowl champion. Now, he enters his eighth year in the NFL and is set to prove he still can be a reliable target in the offense.
What numbers can we anticipate from Jeffery in the upcoming season? Here are three numbers to target for Alshon Jeffery in 2019.
3. 70 Receptions
Injuries have prevented Jeffery from reaching his full potential, especially in the last four seasons. In the past four years, the Eagles wideout has missed 15 games combined.
Due to this, his numbers haven't been up to par compared to the other top receivers in the NFL. Last season, Jeffery was able to get 65 receptions for the Eagles.
Furthermore, over his last four seasons, Jeffery has failed to have more than the 65 receptions he had in 2018. Can the veteran wide receiver exceed that number in 2019?
With the additions of DeSean Jackson and J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, Jeffery should have some of the pressure taken off him. That could allow Jeffery to get as many as 70 catches in a crowded offensive group.
2. 900 Yards
In Jeffery's seven-year career, the talented wideout has never had fewer than 13 yards per reception. At 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, Jeffery is able to create mismatches against smaller cornerbacks.
As a result, Jeffery is able to make plays downfield over smaller defenders. This has allowed the Eagles; top receiver to maintain a career average of 14.5 yards per reception.
If Jeffery can have another season with at least 13 yards per reception, that should land him around the 900-yard mark. Jeffery has eclipsed 1,000 yards just twice in his career. The last time came in 2014 with the Chicago Bears.
1. 6 Touchdowns
Over his entire career, Jeffery has never been a touchdown machine by any means. In his seven seasons in the NFL, Jeffery has just one season in which he has hauled in double-digit touchdowns.
Therefore, it's tough to assume that Jeffery will catch more than nine touchdowns in 2019. Last season, the Eagles receiving threat had six touchdowns. That number seems like a good goal for Jeffery to chase again in the upcoming season.
Philadelphia boasts an offense that has Zach Ertz, Jordan Howard, Jackson, Nelson Agholor, and Arcega-Whiteside alongside Jeffery. As a result, touchdowns are going to be hard to come by for the veteran receiver. When it's all said and done, six touchdowns could be close to the team leader.
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