Eagles Beat: WR Jordan Matthews 'isn't likely' to get snaps necessary for huge rookie season

Eagles beat writer Jeff McLane: I threw a little cold water on the Jordan Matthews hype in my Tuesday column, pointing out that few receivers make first-year splashes in the NFL. Plus, Matthews isn’t likely to get the number of snaps that are generally needed to generate such numbers. But that doesn’t mean he hasn’t been excellent in camp and won’t someday be a Pro Bowl-caliber player. He had a come-back-to-earth practice today, though. During one-on-ones, he got the better of Malcolm Jenkins on an “out” route. But Jenkins had tight coverage on a deep route in which Matthews failed to get separation. His next time up, Matthews faced undrafted rookie defensive back Davon Morgan, but once again he couldn’t slip a defender on a deep run.

Matthews will likely see snaps in the slot (at least) this season. Jeremy Maclin is working his way back from an ACL injury and Riley Cooper is solid, but unspectacular. There is opportunity in this offense if Matthews has a great summer, and by most accounts he has. Rookie wideouts usually don’t live up to their ADP, but there is the occasional exception.