The Seattle Seahawks used a second-round pick on Dee Eskridge back in 2021, and the team could cut him after just three seasons. Entering the league with blazing speed but not much polish, Pete Carroll and company believed they could teach the Western Michigan product the nuances of the position. So far, they haven’t been able to do that. Since entering the league, the wide receiver has recorded a combined 17 receptions for 122 yards and a touchdown and didn’t catch a single pass last year.
Dee Eskridge has not panned out at the NFL level, and the coaching change only increases his odds of being cut. First-year head coach Mike Macdonald has nothing invested in Eskridge and might not have viewed the wide receiver as highly as Carroll and his former staff. With this in mind, Bleacher Report‘s David Kenyon believes that Eskridge has played his last down with the Seattle Seahawks.
Seahawks Could Cut Wide Receiver Dee Eskridge
It’s hard to envision any world where the Seahawks don’t cut Dee Eskridge. D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and 2023 first-round pick Jaxon Smith-Njigba are firmly entrenched atop the depth chart, leaving Eskridge without a clear path to the field. With minimal special teams value, Seattle will probably part ways with their former second-round pick.
While Dee Eskridge probably won’t last in Seattle, another team could give him a shot if cut. You can’t teach 4.40 speed, and someone could bring him in as a gadget player. Even if it’s just a spot on the practice squad, look for him to land with one of the following five teams.
Potential Landing Spots
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals have a few talented young pass catchers in Marvin Harrison Jr., Trey McBride, and second-year pro Michael Wilson. What they lack, however, is a proven veteran. Dee Eskridge isn’t the most reliable player on the market, but the veteran could help this team if Seattle cuts him. Someone needs to handle gadget plays now that Rondale Moore is in Atlanta, and the Cardinals should have a good idea of what Eskridge brings to the table, seeing as they share a division with him.
Los Angeles Chargers
The thing about low-percentage shots is that you’ll eventually get lucky if you just keep shooting. Los Angeles has the worst collection of receivers in the league, with second-round rookie Ladd McConkey highlighting a group otherwise comprised of untested and unremarkable talent. Dee Eskridge might not make the cut on Seattle’s loaded depth chart, but he can compete with the likes of DJ Chark, Brenden Rice, and Cornelius Johnson. Maybe he won’t pan out, but it can’t hurt to kick the tires and see what the veteran can do.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs love fast wide receivers and they could use another one. Rashee Rice will face a lengthy suspension and first-round pick Xavier Worthy is already battling hamstring issues. Perhaps Dee Eskridge cannot play at the NFL level, but the cut candidate can’t be much worse than Skyy Moore, Kadarius Toney, and Justyn Ross. Andy Reid is the best in the league at scheming players into space, so Eskridge should be able to use his game-breaking speed for a few big plays.
Carolina Panthers
Diontae Johnson and Adam Thielen are fine starters, and Xavier Legette has the potential to be great. While Carolina dramatically improved the wide receiver room, they still have work to do on the depth. The Panthers will probably cut Terrace Marshall, which could open the door for Dee Eskridge. Seeing as Jonathan Mingo showed nothing as a rookie, Eskridge and his straight-line speed could provide some competition at the bottom of this depth chart.
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints could use a third reliable receiver. Unfortunately, they don’t have the money to sign one. With this in mind, the team could go after a cheap cut candidate like Dee Eskridge. The wide receiver probably won’t demand more than the league minimum and could provide some competition in the event A.T. Perry doesn’t build on his promising rookie season.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports
