Can Dorial Green-Beckham be Eagles MVP Against Steelers?

By Zach Gershman, Sports Talk Philly staff writer 

Of all the many offseason and preseason moves that Vice President of Football Operations Howie Roseman made this past year, the one that may prove to have the biggest upside is the acquisition of Dorial Green-Beckham.

It was on Aug. 16 that the Philadelphia Eagles traded utility offensive lineman Dennis Kelly to the Tennessee Titans in exchange for 2015 second-round pick and talented wide receiver Green-Beckham. The Eagles lacked production and depth from this position throughout the preseason and are hoping that a new start for the skilled wideout will be a welcoming opportunity.

"DGB" has all the intangibles and if everything falls into place this year he has the potential to have a Pro Bowl season. At 6'5", 237 pounds with 4.49 speed, he could be a matchup nightmare for most defensive backs, especially if Carson Wentz can target him downfield and in the red zone. But Green-Beckham has yet to have a breakout game in the NFL. This week could be that game.

Sunday, the Eagles face off in a Week 3 matchup against their cross-state rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers, in what should be a loud and hostile environment at Lincoln Financial Field.

Offensive coordinator Frank Reich must dial it up this Sunday and attempt to get "DGB" more involved in the offense than he has been the previous two weeks. The Eagles wide receivers have struggled over the past two games. According to Sportingcharts.com, a website that tracks dropped passes and drop percentages, the Eagles have the third-highest drop percentage at 7.1 percent, only trailing the Los Angeles Rams and New York Giants. They have dropped five passes on 70 targets with Nelson Agholor and Jordan Matthews leading the way in drops. Several of these dropped passes could have easily resulted in points.

Meanwhile, "DGB" has only been targeted six total times and has four catches thus far this season. For a 6'5" receiver in the NFL, you’d expect him to be targeted more often.

The Steelers currently rank 31st in the NFL in pass defense. Their No. 1 cornerback, William Gay, will most likely be guarding either Matthews or Agholor come Sunday. At 5'10", Gay and fellow secondary member Mike Mitchell, who stands at 6'1", are undersized compared to the Eagles receivers. By putting Agholor, Matthews, and Green-Beckham in the slot you open up the offense and can cause a lot of trouble for the Steelers secondary.

The Eagles will probably not have a tremendous amount of rushing success against the Steelers, so it will be critical for Wentz to get the ball out of his hands quickly and exploit the Steelers secondary. The receivers are big targets. Put the ball up and let them get it.

The Battle of the Commonwealth may very well rest in the hands of the wide receivers.

Go to top button