Setting Realistic Expectations for Each Philadelphia Eagles Rookie

Being drafted in the NFL comes with certain expectations, especially if you wind up a member of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Look no further than 2014 first-round pick Marcus Smith for an example of just how difficult being a rookie can be in the City of Brotherly Love.

True, Smith fell short of even the most pessimistic expectations, failing to register so much as a single tackle all season or appear in more than eight games. Of course, it's not like the Eagles were relying on much of a contribution from the kid with Trent Cole, Connor Barwin and Brandon Graham all ahead of him on the depth chart.

One year into his career, many are quick to label Smith a bust and wonder if he'll even be on the 53-man roster in 2015. Despite the fact that the team acknowledged he was a project and even asked him to switch from outside linebacker to the interior midway through last season, he didn't live up to expectations.

But were the expectations ever realistic to begin with? Many felt Smith was a first-round pick, so he should be on the field, which was an oversimplification.

The key is to set goals for rookies that they might actually be able to reach, which is what we're doing here today for Philadelphia's 2015 draft class.

Nelson Agholor

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Nelson Agholor is already being pinned to some pretty lofty expectations. Some analysts, such as ESPN's Todd McShay (h/t SportsCenter, Eagles Insider), are even going so far as to predict the USC product will win Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Rookie of the Year is completely out of Agholor's control, but many observers are wondering whether the wide receiver can replace Jeremy Maclin's production in Philly's offense.

Agholor has drawn comparisons to the Pro Bowl wideout since the Eagles selected him 20th overall, as the two are almost identical in terms of measurables.

With that said, setting the bar at 85 receptions, 1,318 yards and 10 touchdowns—Maclin's line for the Eagles in 2014—seems a bit high. It sounds like the absolute best-case scenario.

While the two aren't necessarily comparable from a measurables or skill standpoint, perhaps Jordan Matthews' rookie campaign in 2014 would be a better place to start. Matthews recorded 67 receptions for 872 yards and eight touchdowns, although he was relegated to the slot the majority of the time.

Agholor may play outside and even start but likely won't be on the field on every down, as the Eagles have a relatively deep group of receivers.

With that in mind, something between Maclin and Matthews' last season is probably most realistic.

Expectations: 70-plus receptions, 900-1,000 yards, eight touchdowns.

Eric Rowe

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It's far more difficult to place statistical expectations on defensive players, especially defensive backs—and especially if they're not on the field.

When Eric Rowe was taken in the second round of the draft, there was an assumption he might be the Eagles' opening-day starter at cornerback across from Byron Maxwell.

However, as Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes, veteran Nolan Carroll was running with the first-team defense this spring, while head coach Chip Kelly really talked up the corner's strong offseason.

That doesn't mean Rowe couldn't beat Carroll out for the job this summer, but perhaps that's a bit too lofty of a goal for a rookie defensive back. As much as you want to see the kid on the field, he only played one season at corner for Utah, spending the rest of his time at safety.

If Rowe doesn't win the starting job out of training camp, ultimately he should still wind up with a role in the defense. Ideally, perhaps he could play corner in Philadelphia's dime package, which is sort of a hybrid role anyway. Rowe should also be the first guy off the bench in the event of an injury to either Maxwell or Carroll.

Again, don't count Rowe out as a starter just yet, but the rookie landing the job may not be the most realistic of expectations.

Expectations: Dimeback, No. 1 sub.

Jordan Hicks

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Honestly, it's difficult to expect much from Jordan Hicks in 2015. As of now, the trio of Kiko Alonso, DeMeco Ryans and Mychal Kendricks are rotating in two interior linebacker spots.

Even if Kendricks were moved between now and the start of the regular season, Najee Goode and/or Brad Jones may be next in line for playing time.

So how do you set expectations for a player when the expectation is he will rarely see any action?

Just because Hicks isn't necessarily going to crack the lineup on defense doesn't mean he can't make a contribution. What you would like to see at the very least is Hicks taking up a significant role on special teams and maybe even being among the leading tacklers in that department.

It simply wouldn't be fair to place more demands on Hicks given the state of the depth chart.

Granted, it would be nice if a third-round pick could at least climb the depth chart a bit by the end of the season, but if Alonso, Ryans and Kendricks are all on the Eagles and healthy, it may not be apparent where the Texas product stands.

Expectations: Special teams contributor with seven-plus ST tackles.

JaCorey Shepherd

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By all accounts, JaCorey Shepherd had a very strong spring for the Eagles. According to Sheil Kapadia of Philadelphia, the sixth-round pick is clearly in line for a roster spot. That's good news.

Of course, there are a lot of bodies competing for playing time at cornerback. Maxwell has one starting job on lockdown, while Carroll and Rowe appear be the top two battling for the other. Meanwhile, it's widely assumed Brandon Boykin will maintain his role in the slot.

Where does Shepherd fit in?

If he's performing as well as reporters have suggested, you'd like to maybe see Shepherd eventually leapfrog somebody on the depth chart. It won't be easy, and as realistic expectations go, maybe not fair.

Then again, when you have some observers (h/t Bleeding Green Nation) suggesting the Kansas product was "the steal of the draft," perhaps difficult-to-obtain goals are the way to go.

Shepherd has a chance to get on the field extensively at some point this season in the event of injuries, particularly to Boykin. Brandon Lee Gowton for Bleeding Green Nation noted Shepherd was shadowing the nickel cornerback at practice this spring, and it may just be the rookie's best shot to get out there.

Expectations: Play extensively/start in at least two games.

Randall Evans

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Randall Evans may be caught up in a numbers game. The third cornerback selected by the Eagles in the draft has to overtake Maxwell, Carroll, Rowe, Boykin and Shepherd for playing time, and possibly even Jaylen Watkins, too.

Forget getting on the field—carving out a roster spot might be difficult.

Fortunately for Evans, he has experience lining up all over the secondary, including at safety, where the Eagles are far thinner. The Kansas State product may need to demonstrate that versatility this summer in order to even make the team.

Despite being a sixth-round pick, it would be disappointing if Evans weren't on the 53-man roster, and there's no guarantee he'd clear waivers to the practice squad.

At this point, the only reasonable expectation for Evans moving forward is avoiding that fate and making the team outright, although that is admittedly no easy task with all the talent Philadelphia amassed in the defensive backfield.

Expectations: Make the 53-man roster.

Brian Mihalik

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It's pretty much a given that Brian Mihalik is not going to make the 53-man roster. The Boston College product is transitioning from interior lineman in a 4-3 alignment to defensive end in a 3-4. He's an incredibly raw football player to begin with.

And Philadelphia's defensive line just happens to be one of the deepest groups in the NFL.

Mihalik essentially has no expectations except landing on the Eagles' practice squad, which is out of his control to a certain degree. Obviously, he needs to perform well enough this summer to warrant a spot—at 6'9", 302 pounds, the team will likely take its chances.

However, Mihalik doesn't control whether he would clear waivers after camp.

Chances are he would, as another team would have to add him to its active roster, which is something he probably wouldn't be ready for.

In other words, the only expectation for Mihalik is that he works his butt off to potentially become a player in 2016 and beyond.

Expectations: Make the practice squad.