Carson Wentz very quietly had one of the best rookie seasons ever for a quarterback.
With lowly weapons like Dorial Green-Beckham and Bryce Treggs as his options at wide receiver during stretches in 2016 and his offensive line in constant shuffle mode after right tackle Lane Johnson was suspended, Wentz still completed 62.4 percent of his passes and ended the year with 213.98 fantasy points — a respectable number.
The offensive line is stout, healthy and could be among the best in the NFL and his options have widened to now include Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith. Nelson Agholor has had a terrific training camp and tight ends Brent Celek, Zach Ertz and Trey Burton offer the opportunity for big numbers in the passing game.
The Eagles also now have LeGarrette Blount behind center to distract defenses a year after leading the NFL with 18 touchdowns.
Simply put, Wentz could have a huge year. But is he worth more than a waiver wire glance in your fantasy league?
“I love his leadership,” Agholor said of his ever increasing connections with Wentz in the slot. “I love his competitiveness. Everything he does I love, and he does it at a high level.”
Wentz, according to ESPN, has been going in the 13th round as the 17th quarterback taken, meaning he’ll ride the bench in most leagues and will be used when matchups favor the Eagles offense. But he has excellent value toward the bottom of drafts and could be a big sleeper in keeper leagues, or could play his way onto a starting role.
And as Jordan Matthews said just before he was traded to the Bills, he’s found a picture-perfect home in Philadelphia.
“I think the city gravitates to people who work hard,” Matthews said of his close friend Wentz. “City of Brotherly Love? Philly is like a big bother. When you play for the Philadelphia Eagles, they are hard on you, but they are real with you, they are honest and they love you to death. They’re always going to continue to support you and when you’re a humble guy who works hard they’ve got your back.”
