Eagles Might Have ‘Surprise’ WR3 Option With Former Second Round Pick

As good as the Philadelphia Eagles are on offense in 2025, they’re not just going to hand over the WR3 spot to former first round pick Jahan Dotson.

To that end, Dotson might face some surprise competition from a former second round pick in Terrace Marshall, who is getting a fresh start after spending the first 4 seasons on some truly terrible teams in 3 seasons with the Carolina Panthers and one season with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2024.

The Athletic’s Brooks Kubena singled Marshall out after the Eagles’ one day of mandatory minicamp when he made several big catches against 2 potential starters in cornerbacks Cooper DeJean and Adoree Jackson.

Marshall signed a 1-year, $1.195 million contract with the Eagles on April 11.

“The Panthers were dreadful while Marshall failed to find his footing during his three-year tenure there, and, after they cut him in training camp last year, he saw nominal playing time after finding work with the Las Vegas Raiders in October,” Kubena wrote on June 11. “Can Marshall revamp his career in Philly? Can Marshall afford the Eagles more than one reliable backup (which the Eagles have needed with both (DeVonta) Smith and (A.J.) Brown managing injuries in each of the last two seasons)?”

Marshall’s Key Role Alongside Burrow, Chase, Jettas

Marshall has actually been a WR3 option behind 2 NFL All-Pro wide receivers, playing alongside current superstars Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson on LSU’s undefeated College Football Playoff National Championship team in 2019.

He’s also had experience catching passes from a Pro Bowl quarterback — Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow on that same team. Playing behind Chase and Smith that season, Marshall had 46 receptions for 671 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Marshall has similar size to Brown at 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds.

“Big, fast and talented, Marshall has the ingredients to become a solid starter in the league but has some questions to answer,” NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein wrote in Marshall’s pre-draft evaluation in 2021. “There are traits and talent at his disposal, but the difference between becoming a WR2 and a WR3/4 could be determined by how hard he’s willing to work at his craft.”

The Panthers drafted Marshall in the second round (No. 59 overall) of the 2021 NFL draft and were 14-37 during his 3 seasons in Carolina. The Panthers’ best year with Marshall also coincided with his best year as a pro — they went 7-10 in 2022 as Marshall had career highs of 28 receptions for 490 yards and scored his only career touchdown.

Dotson Trying to Continue Postseason Momentum

Dotson has some pretty significant momentum on his side when it comes to locking down the WR3 spot.

The Eagles drafted Dotson in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft and traded him to Philadelphia in August 2024 and watched him struggle through the regular season with only 19 receptions for 216 yards and no touchdowns in 17 games.

Dotson in the playoffs was a different story. He scored his first touchdown as an Eagles in an NFC Wild Card Round win over the Green Bay Packers and set up the Eagles’ first touchdown in their 40-22 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX.