Kempski: Jordan Matthews best receiver at Eagles OTAs

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There’s only so much we can learn about the Philadelphia Eagles during OTAs. The practices are all non-contact, so the offensive and defensive lines are mostly there for show. Obviously, there’s no tackling, either. As such, offseason workouts tend to showcase skill players on offense—even then, everybody is in shorts and T-shirts.

Having gone over the obligatory disclaimer, it’s becoming impossible to ignore all of the positive press emanating from the NovaCare Complex concerning second-round draft pick Jordan Matthews. At first, he was garnering a lot of attention simply for the way he hustles around the field, as Alex Smith for PhiladelphiaEagles.com describes.

Every time he caught the ball in a team drill, he didn’t slow down and come to a stop after making the catch. Instead, he finished the play, running to the end zone full speed, no matter how many yards away he was from the goal line.

Matthews is quickly getting noticed for more than sprinting around the practice field though. Reporters are gushing over how incredibly involved and reliable the Vanderbilt product has been when the second-team offense is on. He’s clearly the go-to receiver when he’s out there, while Jeff McLane for the Inquirer notes Matthews has yet to drop a pass in front of the media.

Even the normally mild-mannered Jimmy Kempski for Philly.com Tweeted that Matthews looks like the best receiver on the team, although he was quick to add Jeremy Maclin and Riley Cooper are probably taking these early practices a bit more in stride.

What does it all mean? Again, receivers aren’t being asked to fight through press coverage. They don’t have to worry about a safety laying down a big hit.

That being said, it really doesn’t come as any surprise Matthews stands out. He stood out at Vanderbilt, where he hauled in 206 receptions for 2,800 yards and 15 touchdowns over his junior and senior years. He stood out at the NFL Scouting Combine, where he clocked 4.46 seconds in the 40-yard dash and completed 21 reps on the bench press. At 6’3”, 212 pounds, Matthews probably stands out practically anywhere he goes.

The fact is it won’t be long before Matthews is working out of the slot with the first-team offense—for now, Brad Smith is with the ones as Chip Kelly has given the nod to veterans during OTAs. From the sound of things, it might not be much longer before Matthews is taking over for Cooper in two-receiver sets as well.

It’s early, but all indications are Matthews is tearing it up so far. That’s all you can ask of a first-year player right now, particularly one who is poised to play a big role this upcoming season.

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