The Philadelphia Eagles lost de facto No. 1 wide receiver Jeremy Maclin to a fat free agent contract this offseason, just a year after cutting DeSean Jackson loose for no compensation.
That's a lot of talent at the receiver position suddenly out the door and while Eagles head coach Chip Kelly brought in both Jordan Matthews and Josh Huff last season - Matthews especially showed elite potential, though the Eagles are said to be higher on Huff - Philly may again be set to take advantage of an NFL draft replete with talented pass-catchers.
According to the latest report in fact, Kelly and the Eagles have their sights set on a particularly speedy wide receiver many originally thought would be a third or second-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft but who has gained momentum as a likely first-round pick in recent weeks.
"From reliable source: Do not be surprised if the Philadelphia Eagles take Miami WR Phillip Dorsett with their pick at No. 20 in Round 1," Steve Bischoff, owner of New Era Scouting, tweeted.
Dorsett is much like Jackson - a player many said wasn't big enough for Kelly's scheme - in terms of size. At just 5-foot-10, 185-pounds that would seem to be accurate, however, Dorsett plays with a much more physical, hard-nosed edge than Jackson did, while at the same time providing the speedy outside presence Jackson once provided for Kelly and the Eagles.
"Dorsett is an ascending prospect who has averaged more than 25 yards per catch since 2012. He can challenge teams vertically inside or outside and he has home-run potential after the catch as a slot receiver," writes NFL.com's Lance Zierlein. "With smaller wide receivers like T.Y. Hilton and Antonio Brown proving that small and fast can win in the NFL, Dorsett should be coveted by more than one team and has the potential to turn into a star in the NFL."
Dorsett finished his senior season with the Hurricanes with just 36 receptions, but averaged 24.2 yards per catch, nabbing 10 touchdowns and amassing 871 receiving yards.
Dorsett has elite explosive potential and seems to glide across the field. He also brings versatility in that he's equally adept at operating on the outside and out of the slot.
Kelly admitted this offseason that he had Odell Beckham Jr., the New York Giants wide receiver who took the league by storm last season, rated as the best player in the 2014 NFL Draft.
Perhaps Dorsett will reprise the role of ODB for Kelly in the coming 2015 NFL Draft.
