With The First Pick
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Eagles: What to expect from WR John Hightower moving forward

By Derek Mountain

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 27: John Hightower #82 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on prior to the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Lincoln Financial Field on September 27, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 27: John Hightower #82 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on prior to the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Lincoln Financial Field on September 27, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Eagles WR John Hightower
Eagles WR John Hightower. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

What can the Eagles expect from John Hightower on Sunday?

John Hightower was the second of three receivers selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2020 NFL draft. General manager Howie Roseman had a clear plan to get faster and more explosive on the perimeter to aid quarterback Carson Wentz in the passing attack. This plan hasn’t materialized for numerous reasons, but Hightower finds himself as the lone healthy rookie receiver at this time.

First round choice Jalen Reagor tore his UCL in week two and will miss multiple weeks while Quez Watkins has been on the Injured Reserve since the start of the season with an upper body injury.

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Hightower, a fifth round choice from Boise State, is smooth, fast, and very explosive. He is a natural athlete with a long stride that should be able to take the top off the defense. He logged an impressive official 4.43 40 at the NFL Scouting Combine this past February, earning a relative athletic score of 8.03. He has found has way into the rotation but has struggled with ball skills early on. He logged a drop in his first game against the Washington Football Team.

However, when wideout DeSean Jackson left in the middle of their week three slate against Cincinnati, Hightower assumed the most snaps among the Eagle receivers (78). He also led the team with 50 passing routes run. He did not do much with his opportunity with two catches on three targets for 19 yards.

Nonetheless, after losing tight end Dallas Goedert and Jackson, two key cogs to the Eagles passing attack, Hightower will be forced to step into the Eagles number two receiver spot. Without Reagor or Jackson, Hightower must be the Eagles vertical threat against the 49ers defense this upcoming Sunday.

Next. 2021 NFL Draft: NCAA Football Week 4 defensive studs. dark

Converted quarterback Greg Ward is far and away the team’s leading receiver for this upcoming week but don’t be surprised by some potential production from the Mountain West product, Hightower.

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