Eagles-49ers Instant Count Analysis: A Case For More Quez Watkins, Less Jalen Reagor

Frustrating for the Eagles on Sunday considering all the missed opportunities. Now is the time to analyze the number of Philadelphia snaps since their Week 2 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

• For the second week in a row, DeVonta Smith led all of the Eagles’ skill players in snaps (49) and targets (7). Smith only had two receptions for 16 yards, but Jalen Hurts knocked him down on several deep shots. Smith also shot two pass interference penalties.
• Jalen Reagor saw the second highest number of targets with five. He recorded two receptions for just five yards, dropping his receiving yards at the start of the season to 6.8. Reagor obviously would have had better numbers if he hadn’t gone out of bounds to cancel a deep touchdown. Some have argued that Reagor was not at fault for being sent off, but even Nick Sirianni admitted that Reagor needs to do a better job on this game.

• 13 runs and 55 yards (4.2 on average) for Miles Sanders. Also had a reception for four meters. He was doing fine.
• While Dallas Goedert played 11 more snaps in Week 1, he saw almost identical playing time as Zach Ertz did in Week 2. Each tight end was only targeted twice. Goedert had two catches for 24 yards while Ertz had a catch for six yards. It’s early days but Goedert would probably like to increase his volume as he is playing in a contract year. As for Ertz, the veteran has the team’s second-highest number of caps and has totaled 40 yards in two games. Lots of time for things to change, but he doesn’t currently justify the $ 8.5 million the Eagles could have saved by moving him.
• Landon Dickerson came to replace Brandon Brooks at right guard after the veteran suffered a chest injury. Dickerson found himself in Hurts on his first snap and allowed five presses in total. For perspective, no other Eagles offensive lineman has allowed more than two. It was Dickerson’s first game after not having had training camp, so it’s understandable that he’s rusty.
• Quez Watkins caught his only two targets for 117 yards. The 91-yard reception was obviously the highlight, but he also followed a precise course to open up for a gain of 26 yards on the 3rd and 7th. Watkins has always eclipsed Reagor in training camp and preseason and he was the best player in the first two games. He should see a little more playing time. At Reagor’s expense, if necessary.
• PFF ranked Brandon Brooks as the Eagles’ worst offensive player; the veteran gave two presses on just 13 pass blocking snaps. Brooks left the game early with a chest injury and was later sent off.
• Greg Ward has yet to see a target in two games, but he has a pass attempt. Unfortunately for him and his teammates, Philly’s special recreation didn’t work out. The incompleteness dropped Ward’s career passer rating from 118.7 to 75.0.
• Kenny Gainwell was not effective as a runner with six carries for just 14 yards. In fairness, PFF noted that he was contacted in the backfield during half of his rush attempts. Gainwell caught two passes for 18 receiving yards.
• JJAW continues to contribute as a WR and ST blocker.
• A little interesting to see that Jack Stoll has a role in the offense, albeit a small one. He won by recovering a strip-sack from Nick Bosa on Hurts.
• Andre Dillard saw some clichés as an additional blocker in jumbo packages.

• Anthony Harris was the only defenseman to play the entire game. His strengths were dropping a pick and committing pass interference in the end zone.
• Alex Singleton missed five tackles, according to PFF. Not great.
• After playing 57% of snaps last Sunday, Fletcher Cox has seen a slight uptick this week. However, he did not record a tackle for loss, quarterback or sack. PFF actually ranked him 16th out of 21 Eagles defensemen.
• Javon Hargrave continues to look good.
• Eric Wilson led all Eagles linebackers in playing time (85%) in Week 1. It recorded a nice drop in the second week (69%).
• After placing fourth out of four defensive ends in playing time last week, Derek Barnett has led all of the Eagles rushers this week. It makes sense that he saw a raise with Brandon Graham getting injured, but the scrambled order is curious.
• K’Von Wallace took the start in place of Rodney McLeod. He shares his playing time with Marcus Epps. Neither player stood out very well.
• Genard Avery actually finished as the PFF Eagles’ top defenseman, making seven tackles and missing none.
• Ryan Kerrigan oddly saw more playing time than Josh Sweat, who recently signed a contract extension. There was a key play where the 49ers faced 3rd and 7th from their own 41-yard line and Kerrigan was in Sweat’s place. Why? Fatigue didn’t seem like a good excuse considering she had just taken a break as the first play of the fourth quarter. Kerrigan failed to record a statistic in 66 shots this year.
• Weird that Sweat only played 28 snaps. His playing time went from 54% in week 1 to 40% in week 2. And in a game where Graham was injured. Sweat had a quarterback that could have forced a pick if Harris hadn’t let him down.
• Not as much of a nickel defense in this game with Avonte Maddox seeing a drop from 62% to 30%.
• The Eagles have increased Patrick Johnson’s playing time from 10% to 19%. Maybe a sign that they like what they see from the rookie.
• Tarron Jackson saw a few snaps due to Graham’s injury but it didn’t make an impact.
• Davion Taylor saw nine shots in his first game of the season. He looked good before leaving early with a calf injury. Looks like it’s the same issue that has been bothering him since training camp.

• Andre Chachere continues to flash as a gunner on a punt cover. He almost helped pin an Arryn Siposs deep into the 49ers’ turf before Zech McPhearson hit the ball into the end zone for a touchback.
• No defensive snap for Shaun Bradley after playing nine in Week 1. Davion Taylor’s return hasn’t helped him in that regard.
• Boston Scott has yet to play an offensive snap this season. I understand he’s RB3, but it’s at least a little weird after he’s had a good camp and a good preseason.

INACTIVE: Rodney McLeod, Gardner Minshew, Brett Toth, Marlon Tuipulotu, Mac McCain

ACTIVE: Joe flacco