Speed kills, and it just might be a component the Philadelphia Eagles look to land right off the bat this coming draft.
While the calls for line help and the questions at the tight end position persist, there will be other offensive options presented in the first round that may be too enticing for Eagles general manager Howie Roseman to pass up. A jolt of speed could help return the unit to previous heights, and this next prospect mocked to land in Philadelphia has it in spades.
NFL.com's Bucky Brooks put forth his mock draft 2.0, with his updated prediction giving the Eagles a bona fide gamebreaker at wideout in Texas A&M's KC Concepcion at the 23rd overall pick.
"Whether or not Philly keeps A.J. Brown, the offense needs a bursty separator to help Jalen Hurts and the passing game. Concepcion's RAC ability (run after catch) could allow the Eagles to bring back the RPO game that helped their franchise quarterback flourish during two Super Bowl runs."
Eagles target Texas A&M wide receiver in mock draft
Amid the exit of former offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo and the arrival of Sean Mannion from Green Bay, a new offensive identity is in the cards. A return to more RPO action for quarterback Jalen Hurts, something the signal caller excelled in prior to last season, would rekindle a dynamic that makes Hurts - and the offense as a whole - so dangerous. And landing a talent such as Concepcion could perfectly align with that vision.
Projected by draft pundits in that late first-round sweet spot, Concepcion has illustrated a knack for big plays upon arrival, with a whopping 25 touchdown receptions in 38 college games. As a true freshman at NC State, the 5-foot-11, 190-pound Rochester, NY native exploded on the scene with 71 catches, 839 yards and 10 touchdowns, securing ACC Rookie of the Year honors.
After a solid, albeit less spectacular, sophomore campaign (43 catches, 460 yards, six touchdowns), Concepcion hit the portal and headed to the Lone Star State.
Suiting up for the Texas A&M Aggies, that lightning quickness immediately took centerstage. Nine touchdowns - including two punt returns for touchdowns - highlighted a 61-catch, 919-yard effort that resulted in him taking home the Paul Hornung Award, given to the most versatile player in college football. His return ability could also help in Philadelphia, but make no mistake, his impact in the passing game could be sizeable from day one.
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Racking up just over 15 yards per reception, Concepcion can feast in all levels of the passing game. Slotting him into the new-look Eagles offense - and maximizing his talents alongside Hurts - could provide a serious spark to a unit on a mission to fire on all cylinders once again.