Top 50 Position Battles: Baskett vs. Avant
McNabb needs a slot receiver
# 42. Eagles third receiver: Hank Baskett vs. Jason Avant vs. Greg Lewis
This is a “Just in case” battle. The Eagles spread the ball around way too much, especially to the running backs and tight ends, for the third receiver to have stand-alone value. But if Kevin Curtis or Reggie Brown get hurt, you are going to want to know who to pick up.
Lewis is probably the odd man out here. He’s had his chances and didn’t do much with them. Baskett and Avant is a fair fight between two second-year players. Baskett managed 464 yards as an undrafted rookie (who was traded in training camp), although the numbers are skewed somewhat by two touchdowns over 85 yards. We don’t have to question his speed at least.
Avant is more of a possession threat, a player we liked coming out of Michigan for his hands. He barely played as a rookie, but the early word is the fourth-round pick is the favorite for the slot role. He certainly provides a change of pace, whereas Baskett has similar skills to Kevin Curtis and Reggie Brown.
The one risk here, as Evan Silva pointed out, is that Avant might play the slot no matter what, with Baskett more likely to fill in as a starter if Brown or Curtis get hurt. I'm not discouting these guys being fantasy factors because of my healthy respect for the Reid passing game magic.
Comments
I'm not touching any Eagles receivers except Brown until I know what's what.
Posted by: Leon | July 17, 2007 07:48 AM
I think Baskett will emerge as the #2 receiver for the Eagles. With the exception of Steve Smith, small speedster WR's like Curtis are unreliable to say the least. I watched Baskett at New Mexico and he has the phsyical tools to be a quality WR. I think he'll total roughly 850+ receiving yards and 6-8 TD's this year. Then next year, I think he can break out.
Posted by: Leto | July 17, 2007 03:33 PM