Zach Pascal: 6 things to know about the Eagles’ new wide receiver

After putting out on different broad receiver choices, the Philadelphia Eagles lastly added to the place by signing Zach Pascal. Given his relationship with Nick Sirianni, it was a transfer all of us noticed coming.

With a view to be taught extra about Philly’s new cross catcher, I believed it’d profit Bleeding Inexperienced Nation readers to get some insider perception on Pascal. And so I contacted Chris Blystone of Stampede Blue. Right here’s what the representatives from SB Nation’s Indianapolis Colts weblog needed to say.

1 – How would you sum up Pascal’s stint with the Colts?

In a phrase? Inconceivable. Zach Pascal was an undrafted free agent who fought his means tooth and nail right into a place to be the Colts’ 2^nd ranked receiver in yards in each 2020 and 2021. He led the group in 2019. He’s the type of participant who will maintain his head down, work arduous, and offer you dependable manufacturing in no matter you ask of him. You gained’t hear gamers or coaches saying unkind phrases about Pascal, as a result of he’s a popular member of the group and neighborhood.

2 – How do Colts followers really feel in regards to the group not re-signing him? Proper transfer to let him go?

By and huge Colts followers are comfortable to see Pascal go. This isn’t actually a mirrored image essentially on Pascal himself. Nonetheless arduous a employee he’s, there are clearly limits in his potential to get separation. A lot of his manufacturing may be attributed to Frank Reich’s potential to scheme receivers open, and when going through good defensive backs in video games once they completely wanted somebody to make a play, Pascal wasn’t setting himself aside as a man who might do this.

Throughout his 2019 season, Pascal had among the greatest palms on the group, and repeatedly made clutch performs in vital downs. Sadly, we haven’t seen that very same participant as constantly. In actual fact, his place as the two^nd receiver in yards over the previous two seasons says extra in regards to the state of the Colts receiver room than it does Pascal himself.

Colts followers need the group to maneuver on and improve on the place with gamers who can actually pressure defenses, and so they merely don’t consider Pascal is that man.

3 – Pascal was actually PFF’s worst graded WR final yr. To what extent do you assume that displays his high quality as a participant? Do you assume Carson Wentz’s struggles factored into him taking a step again in 2021?

It’s robust to not go straightforward on everybody within the wake of Carson Wentz’ 2021 season. Regardless of the numbers and unimaginable spotlight throws, he was abjectly unhealthy, and his receiving weapons suffered accordingly. I actually don’t want to elucidate to Eagles followers these frustrations (you’re welcome for the 1^st spherical decide by the best way). I feel Pascal is totally higher than his 2021 season, as are many of the offensive weapons on the Colts roster. Sadly, I don’t assume he’s loads higher.

I consider Pascal supplies actual worth as part of the locker room, and if the group has a great grasp on his precise worth. He shouldn’t be considered as any type of savior, nor whilst a real WR2. When you want strong depth on the place and a dependable participant who can play particular groups and is a keen blocker, you will have the precise man.

4 – What are his strengths?

Pascal’s greatest power is in his willingness to get bodily. He’s an excellent blocking receiver, and never a man who will shrink back when requested to combine it up with defenders on the line. Whereas not a prolific athlete, he has strong palms and gained’t make thoughts boggling errors. Moreover, he works properly on particular groups, and is properly appreciated among the many guys within the locker room.

5 – What are his weaknesses?

Sadly for Pascal, he merely is just not a spectacular athlete. He doesn’t have any bodily attributes that really set him aside and lacks the polish as a route runner to make up for that when charged with important offensive accountability. He had a profession excessive 44 receptions and 629 yards in 2020 with Philip Rivers delivering the ball in a season with a fading T.Y. Hilton, a rookie in Michael Pittman Jr., and no actual deep risk to talk of.

In case your imaginative and prescient for Zach Pascal is as a WR3 or WR4 who is usually a dependable and bodily participant who helps you progress the sticks on brief yardage performs and provides you good palms over the center within the brief to intermediate space, you most likely have him in the precise spot. Activity him with going through high corners on the surface and also you’ll be dissatisfied.

6 – Something to learn about him off the sector?

The largest factor to learn about him is how a lot Nick Sirianni loves him. Sirianni instructed his oldest son that he needed him to develop as much as play soccer like Zach Pascal. He’s a real “lunch pail” type of man who will do no matter is requested of him and who you possibly can rely on to work arduous. Eagles followers ought to completely like him as a person, and he’ll little doubt be a optimistic affect locally.

What he could also be as a participant? My guess is that he’ll be a man price about 400-600 yards, a pair touchdowns, and a worthwhile a part of the working recreation as a blocker. If that’s what the Eagles want, he’s a great match. If not? Effectively at the least he’s a great man, proper?

BLG’s take: The Pascal signing is okay. It’s nothing to enthusiastically have fun. Including him pushes Jalen Reagor and Greg Ward down on the depth chart — in idea, at the least — and that’s good. Pascal raises the Eagles’ flooring at broad receiver however he doesn’t do sufficient to considerably enhance the ceiling. He’ll add worth as a tradition man, a blocker, a particular groups man, and a receiver who can contribute with two or three catches per recreation. He is usually a strong function participant for this group. However signing Pascal does nothing to unravel the necessity for higher long-term solutions on the place. DeVonta Smith belongs as a WR1. Quez Watkins might need WR2 potential however he is likely to be higher off as WR3. Ideally, Pascal must be WR4 … however he at present initiatives as WR3 on this offense. May very well be loads worse, may very well be loads higher. God forbid the Eagles endure a serious harm and out of the blue he’s WR2.