Marvin

McNutt

Strictly a straight-line receiver, McNutt has 4.50-4.54 vertical speed but must hit his stride to reach that gear. He does not drop his weight when breaking back routes and lacks crisp footwork to make quick cuts to create separation. McNutt did post 1,314 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior but glides in all aspects of his game. It is doubtful he makes an impact in his rookie year.

A heralded quarterback recruit out of the St. Louis area, McNutt converted to wideout during his freshman year at Iowa and finished his career as the Hawkeyes’ all-time leader in receiving yards. More of a straight-line athlete who plays without physicality, McNutt will struggle for snaps as a rookie.

Both players are big, physical receivers, best used in situational roles. Cooper may have more pure talent, but he’s shown a penchant for dropping passes and not fighting for the ball in traffic. The Eagles are unlikely to keep both on the roster this year.

McNutt’s release is a sign that the Eagles are confident in Riley Cooper’s (collarbone) status for Week 1. They will roll with Cooper and possibly undrafted rook Damaris Johnson behind Jeremy Maclin, DeSean Jackson and Jason Avant. McNutt is a practice squad candidate.

McNutt passed through waivers unclaimed, confirming he’s not especially highly regarded around the NFL. A sixth-round pick in April, McNutt caught one ball for 13 yards in the preseason. Cunningham, who was drafted by the Dolphins, had five catches for 38 yards in four exhibition games. McNutt is the better prospect.

The point is that McNutt lasted to the sixth round only because this year’s receiver class was so deep. While he’s a bit of a project, McNutt has the size, athleticism, and skills to overtake Riley Cooper as the No. 4 receiver and red-zone specialist down the road.

Sixth-round rookie Marvin McNutt may push Cooper in training camp, but the veteran has the edge in special teams and blocking. Per the team’s website, Cooper “looked faster and more fluid -- by far -- than in any of his previous seasons.” He had just 16 catches for 315 yards as the No. 4 receiver last year.

While Cooper rehabs for the next six weeks, sixth-round rookie Marvin McNutt will get his chance. With a big camp, he could slip into the No. 4 wideout job behind Jeremy Maclin, DeSean Jackson and Jason Avant. McNutt has the size and hands to excel at the NFL level, but speed and quickness are question marks.

Cooper went down trying to reel in a deep bomb from Michael Vick. The Eagles have yet to release a timeline, but Cooper should be considered doubtful for Week 1. It’s an ill-timed injury for a player who was thought to be locked in as the Eagles’ No. 4 receiver, but highly unimpressive on offense last season. Despite Cooper’s edge in blocking and special teams play, his injury opens the window for sixth-round rookie Marvin McNutt to make a run at his job.

McNutt is off to a good start in his quest for a roster spot, and should push Riley Cooper for the Eagles’ No. 4 receiver job if his strong offseason carries over into camp. Cooper’s blocking and special teams prowess might tilt the battle in his favor.