Eagles Trade for Donte' Stallworth

donte' stallworth is an eagle! while he likely wasn't tops on everyone's wish list, he will probably jump to the top of the depth chart as soon as he familiarizes himself with the worst coast offense.

is he a "number 1" receiver? probably, if your criteria for "number 1" is among the top 32 wideouts in the game. probably not, if your criteria is someone who can be mentioned in the same conversation as: marvin harrison, randy moss, me-o, chad johnson, steve smith, torry holt, and larry fitzgerald.

i'd say from a talent perspective, i've always thought that he can be a top 15 kind of wideout. he was the fastest wideout in his draft class and a dynamic playmaker (i recall he scored in his first game as a pro, taking a quick wideout screen 60 yards for a score).

here is what i know about stallworth:
- very fast (was a 4.3 guy coming into the league)
- decent hands
- has played all 16 games for the last two seasons, but has a chronic hamstring problem
- numbers likely inflated somewhat due to some yards gained in garbage time while NO was significantly behind
- numbers likely deflated somewhat by playing with a crappy QB (aaron brooks) and a bad head coach (jim haslett)

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here are what others think about stallworth:

- profootballweekly's pre-draft scouting report

Notes: High school sprinter and jumper as well as a football star. Redshirted in 1998. Caught 23 passes for 407 yards and a touchdown in ’99 despite not starting one game. Hurt his foot in the Fiesta Bowl and had postseason surgery. Foot was never fully healed in 2000, when he started 2-of-12 games and caught 35-519-2. Injured his left wrist in the ’01 opener and missed three games and five starts but still caught 41-821-10 and returned six punts for 98 yards and a score despite playing with a cast and then a brace. Declared for this year’s draft and then withdrew his name, but the NCAA refused to restore his eligibility. Decided not to appeal the decision and re-entered the draft.

Positives: Top athlete with tremendous balance and body control. Very quick and fast and strong for his size. Has great explosive speed and strength. Runs through and breaks tackles like a top running back. Gamebreaker and big-play maker. Dangerous runner after the catch and return man. Runs good routes and can make the exceptional catch and run. Has unlimited potential.

Negatives: Lacks experience and has not been that durable. Lacks consistency and concentration at times. Will drop some very easy passes because he is looking where to run before he catches the ball.

Summary: A premier athlete who will develop into a special player if he can stay healthy and improve his concentration and focus.

- sports illustrated's pre-draft scouting report

Two-year starter and second team All-Conference selection last year. Played in only nine games as a redshirt junior after suffering a broken wrist in the season opener against Syracuse, but still finished the year with 41/821/20/10. Totaled 35/519/14.8/2 as a sophomore and 23/407/17.7/1 the prior year. Occasionally saw action as a return specialist through college.

Speedy wideout prospect still developing his game. Fluid releasing off the line of scrimmage, quick out of his pass routes and naturally comes back to the ball. Fast in either a straight line or laterally, stretches the defense and gets downfield behind defenders. Extends for the high throw and plucks the ball out of the air. Excellent body control, adjustment and positions himself nicely to make the catch. Displays solid eye/hand coordination, looks the ball in and catches the pass away from his body. Times and anticipates his deep receptions well showing the ability to get up vertically for the reception and make the catch in a crowd. Also reads the defense, gets open and makes himself an available target for the quarterback. Not strong and has difficulty with big, physical corners. Production numbers have never been outstanding which is more a result of his injury last season and depth the Tennessee program traditionally has at the receiver position. May need time to develop at the start of his career but a top prospect with a large amount of upside potential that should eventually grow into a solid Number 1 receiver. Mid First Round.

- espn scouts inc's current scouting report on donte'

He uses his speed and hands well when breaking the press and he has a second gear. He is very smooth in running his routes and he accelerates well out of his break to get separation. He has soft hands and excellent timing and will go up and battle you for the ball. He has great leaping ability and will make the catch in almost any position. He adjusts well to the ball when it is in the air and he is a threat to go the distance with the ball in his hands. He shows good awareness and sees the coverage's. He finds a way to get open. You would like to see him do more to set up a defensive back with a weave or change of pace but he tends to rely on his speed. He has good body control but tends to get sloppy in his route running, occasionally rounding off his cuts and showing a lapse in concentration.

- footballoutsiders has him ranked at 25 for DPAR for the 2005 season (he was 46th and 48th in 2004 and 2003)

25th best wideout in the game? i'll take him. getting him for mark simoneau and a 4th rounder (think max jean-gillies, jason avant, todd herremans, sean considine, jr reed, or trey darilek), it's a steal.