By Eliot Shorr-Parks | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

One of the toughest decisions the Eagles will have to make this offseason surrounds receiver Alshon Jeffery, a soon-to-be free agent.

That decision has gotten a little more complicated over the last two weeks.

After a slow start to the season, Jeffery has caught three touchdowns in the last two games, and as the team enters their bye week, the veteran receiver is slowly starting to put together a very productive season in his first year with the team.

Here is a complete look at how Jeffery has played so far this season, and an updated look at whether or not the team should re-sign him this offseason.

Don't Edit

Michael Perez | AP PHOTO

ON PACE FOR A STRONG SEASON

After a slow start to the season, Jeffery is now on pace to finish with a pretty impressive season.

Jeffery enters the bye week with 34 catches for 500 yards and five touchdowns. Jeffery is currently ranked 18th in receiving yards, 34th in catches and fifth in the NFL in touchdowns. If he keeps this pace up, he will finish with 60 catches, 888 yards and eight touchdowns.

The last two games, however, seem to point to Jeffery having a much stronger end to the year.

Don't Edit

After struggling to get on the same page with quarterback Carson Wentz the first half of the season, Jeffery has caught eight passes for 142 yards and three touchdowns over the last two weeks.

What is most encouraging, however, is that in the team's blowout win over the Denver Broncos, Jeffery caught six of the 11 passes thrown his way, the highest completion percentage Wentz has had this season targeting Jeffery in games in which he has caught at least four passes.

The arrow is definitely pointing up when it comes to the Jeffery-and-Wentz connection, and it wouldn't be surprising to see Jeffery put up better numbers in the final seven games than he has in the first nine.

Don't Edit

HAS HE MADE "NO. 1" RECEIVER TYPE PLAYS

When it comes to Jeffery, however, the numbers do not tell the whole story -- both in a positive and negative way.

The question the Eagles will have to answer with Jeffery this offseason is whether or not the production he has put up has been the result of him making plays, or if they could simply plug another receiver in his spot and get essentially the same kind of production.

There is an argument to be made that if the Eagles put another receiver in Jeffery's spot, the production would not be that different -- but it might be a lot cheaper than the $9.5 million the Eagles are paying Jeffery this season.

A perfect example of how Jeffery has benefited more from the Eagles than they have from him was against the Broncos, and on Jeffery's two touchdown catches.

On both of Jeffery's touchdown catches, he runs untouched past his defender at the line of scrimmage, and both times he isn't touched by anyone during the play.

Don't Edit

12 PLAYERS WHO HAVE BEEN BIG SURPRISES THIS SEASON

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

This first touchdown Jeffery scored against the Broncos was the result of an excellent play call by head coach Doug Pederson and an excellent throw by quarterback Carson Wentz. Jeffery deserves credit for selling the fake, but it doesn't take a $9.5 million receiver to score this touchdown.

Don't Edit

via GIPHY

Don't Edit

The same argument can be made for Jeffery's second touchdown. As you can see, Jeffery is lined up across from cornerback Aqib Talib, who gives him a cushion at the line of scrimmage. Jeffery, per the play design, cuts across the middle of the field, and a fantastic throw by Wentz gets between three defenders and into Jeffery's hands.

Don't Edit

via GIPHY

Don't Edit

THINGS DO NOT SOUND GOOD FOR WENDELL SMALLWOOD

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

In fact, of Jeffery's 73 targets this season, there is an argument to be made that he has really only shown off his catch radius one time, on his touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers, when he out jumped rookie cornerback Ahkello Weatherspoon, made the catch and ran it in for the score.

Don't Edit

via GIPHY

Don't Edit

The potential for Jeffery to physically dominate the opposing defense is there, as evident by that catch, even if it was over a rookie. There is no denying it was an impressive play.

This season, however, Jeffery going up and making No. 1-type receiver catches have been few-and-far between, and the vast majority of his production has come from play design as opposed to pure physical skill.

Don't Edit

ALSHON VS. NO. 1 CORNERBACKS

Another argument to be made against Jeffery proving he has been a top, No. 1 receiver is how he has done against the top cornerbacks he has faced.

Jeffery has only been shadowed once this season, against the Arizona Cardinals, but he has still lined up against some elite cornerbacks this years, especially early on.

Here is a look at how he did:

Jeffery vs. Josh Norman (Washington):

Snaps: 17

Targets: 4

Catches: 2 (for 16 yards, including two-point conversion)

Jeffery vs. Marcus Peters (Kansas City Chiefs)

Snaps: 14

Targets: 3

Catches: 2 (for 10 yards)

Don't Edit

Jeffery vs. Janoris Jenkins (Giants)

Snaps: 14

Targets: 3

Catches: 1 (for 12 yards)

Jeffery vs. Patrick Peterson (Cardinals)

Targets: 2

Catches: 2 (for 26 yards)

Total vs. top cornerbacks:

Snaps: 45

Targets: 10

Catches: 5 for 38 yards

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

As mentioned above, however, Jeffery has improved as the season has gone on, and he is coming off of a game where he caught two touchdowns against Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib.

The arrow is pointing up, but so far, Jeffery has not shown the ability to consistently produce and create separation against the elite cornerbacks in the NFL -- which is what top paid, No. 1 receivers are supposed to do.

Don't Edit

WHAT HE BRINGS TO THE OFFENSE

A popular defense of Jeffery this season has been that while his production hasn't been there, he has opened up things for other members of the offense by drawing attention from the defense -- and there is certainly some truth to it.

Although opposing defenses have only placed their top cornerback on Jeffery throughout the game just once, Jeffery being on the field has had an impact on how defenses play the Eagles' offense.

A great example of this can be seen in this video, that perfectly shows how opposing defenses can get so wrapped up in thinking the Eagles are targeting Jeffery, they lose track of other players on the field.

Don't Edit

Shot 2 - Great ball from Wentz here. Reads safety jumping shallow cross, throws Ertz open into the void. Great touch & poise vs blitz pic.twitter.com/wN1BjfB0UO — Fran Duffy (@fduffy3) October 24, 2017

Don't Edit

The Eagles might be able to get the same kind of scores from other, cheaper players on the plays highlighted above against the Denver Broncos.

What they won't get, however, is the kind of attention Jeffery draws from the opposing defenses.

Don't Edit

IN THE LOCKER ROOM

On the field, Jeffery's production and his play has been right down the middle, and you can make a strong argument either for or against him.

Off the field, however, is where Jeffery has really shined.

Since joining the Eagles, Jeffery has been everything the team could have dreamed for as a teammate. He integrated himself into the team's locker room, he has been a teacher to the team's younger receivers, and he has not complained despite the fact earlier in the season he was not seeing the ball thrown his way very often. In a contract year, on a one-year deal he signed with the hope of increasing his value then cashing in next offseason, Jeffery has truly put the team first.

A lot of fans, analysts and players on the team like to talk about how unselfish this team is -- and Jeffery is in many ways the poster child for that.

That might not show up on the stat sheet, but the way Jeffery has handled himself off the field and in the locker room is absolutely a positive when debating if the team should re-sign him.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

SALARY CAP IMPLICATIONS

If the Eagles do decide they want to bring back Jeffery, the price to bring him back is obviously going to play a huge factor.

If Jeffery were to ask for a contract that pays him like a top-10 receiver, it would likely look something like a four-year deal with an average cap hit of around $13 million, and roughly $24 million guaranteed at signing.

Don't Edit

Although Jeffery's cap hit won't be $13 million in 2018 if he does get that kind of deal, it is worth noting that the Eagles are not projected to have much cap space next offseason. They are currently projected to have just $7 million once they sign their 2018 rookie class. That number could go up, and you can checkout a complete breakdown here, but they are not in good financial shape next offseason.

It is possible that Jeffery could decide to take less than a top-10 receiver contract because of how happy he seems to be in Philadelphia, or that his numbers remain average, and the Eagles don't have to pay him that. If his cap hit dips to around $7-or-8 million a year, the decision is much easier.

If Jeffery's play continues to improve, however, he is going to get close to top-10 receiver numbers -- and after taking a one-year deal to bet on himself, he is likely going to want to be paid.

Don't Edit

ONE LAST THING: CONSISTENCY WITH WENTZ IS HUGE

Jeffery might not be making highlight catches, and might be able to be replaced easier than many want to admit, but there is also something to be said for keeping the same players around quarterback Carson Wentz.

The benefit of Wentz having more than a year with a player, and the quarterback being able to develop a relationship with that player, is clear when you watch the chemistry he has with tight end Zach Ertz and receiver Nelson Agholor. Both players are on pace to have career years, and in a season with plenty of new players on the offense, the chemistry Wentz has with them has been a huge benefit.

Don't Edit

Considering Jeffery missed most of training camp and the preseason with an injury, he did not have much time to develop chemistry on the field with Wentz. The fact the two are becoming more productive as the season has gone on is encouraging.

There is a lot of season left to be played, but even if the season was over today, there is something to be said for bringing Jeffery back simply so Wentz has the same skill players around him, and bet on those players -- like Jeffery -- to take a big step forward in a second season with the Eagles.

Don't Edit

OVERALL

So should the Eagles re-sign Jeffery? The answer to that, as of now, is yes.

He is not a No. 1 receiver, but the reality is that there aren't many No. 1 receivers in the NFL -- there might only be a handful of truly dominant, No. 1 wideouts. Jeffery isn't one of them, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have value.

Jeffery has shown he is a valuable member of the team, and if he simply does what he has done this season for the next few years, he will help this team. Chances are, however, that with more time to play with Wentz, his production is likely to improve -- just like it has with Ertz and Agholor.

Of course, price is a factor. If Jeffery hits the open market, and is going to get a deal that averages around $13 million a year, then the Eagles should move on. The duo of Wentz and head coach Doug Pederson have shown they are able to scheme their way to points, and investing big money in top receivers isn't needed.

If the price is only around $7 million a season, however, the Eagles would be wise to bring Jeffery back.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

WATCH: JAY AJAYI AFTER FIRST GAME WITH EAGLES

Don't Edit

WHERE TO REACH ME

Eliot Shorr-Parks may be reached at eshorrpa@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @EliotShorrParks. Find NJ.com Eagles on Facebook.

Don't Edit

PODCAST: THE NO-HUDDLE SHOW