Tank Bigsby has already established that he can contribute to the Philadelphia Eagles as a physical runner. Saturday night will begin revealing whether he can become something more. The Eagles will open the preseason against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium, providing Bigsby with his first opportunity to test an expanded receiving role under game conditions.
Philadelphia has featured Bigsby as a receiver throughout training camp, occasionally using him in the passing game as much as on traditional rushing plays. That represents a notable change for a running back who caught only 11 passes over his first three NFL seasons.
Bigsby is listed directly behind Saquon Barkley on the Eagles’ first unofficial depth chart. If Philadelphia rests Barkley against Baltimore, Bigsby could receive enough work to demonstrate how Sean Mannion intends to use him.
Tank Bigsby must show receiving work translates
Catching passes during training camp is different from executing the same assignments against an unfamiliar defense. Bigsby must recognize coverage, release cleanly from the backfield and arrive at the correct location on time. Andy Dalton and Tanner McKee will expect him to understand when to settle against zone coverage and when to continue working away from a defender.
The Eagles don’t need Bigsby to become a polished slot receiver. They need him to handle screens, checkdowns, option routes and designed throws that can place him in space.
His physical running style could become especially valuable after the catch. Linebackers and defensive backs may have difficulty bringing down the 215-pound back without help, giving Philadelphia another way to manufacture yards without requiring him to run between the tackles.
Baltimore’s reserve linebackers and safeties should provide a useful test. Jay Higgins IV, Dominic DeLuca, Carl Jones Jr. and Reid Williford will be competing for roles of their own and won’t treat Bigsby’s routes like controlled practice repetitions.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Tank Bigsby’s expanded role as a receiver faces first game test