According to an official announcement from the team, the Eagles have signed former Bills Safety, Corey Graham to a one-year contract.
Roster Move: #Eagles have agreed to terms with S Corey Graham on a one-year contract. #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/Qz4GByZnAx
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) August 3, 2017
So, what do you need to know about the newest Eagle to the nest?
A starter…:
Graham was one of the Bills’ most durable players lat year. Playing in 98% of snaps, he recorded 87 tackles and an interception. Since entering the league in 2007, Graham has only missed one game…..ONE. With a combined 612 tackles, 15 interceptions, 6 forced fumbles, 3 sacks and 60 passes defensed to his name…it’s safe to say Graham is a veteran with starter written all over him.
…but where?
Graham has spent the last few years playing as a Safety in Buffalo, having himself a career year in 2015. Prior to joining the Bills in 2014, Graham was a prominent cornerback for the Baltimore Ravens. When you connect the dots and the Eagles need for a solid cornerback, it’s not hard to imagine that the team have signed him to bolster the CB unit as opposed to a Safety spot where depth is already abundant.
I guess the only way to tell will be to watch where he slots in during camp and pre-season, but it would hardly be surprising to see Graham help the Eagles cornerback corps as opposed to their Safety spot with two entrenched starters and two backups fighting for a position.
Special teams ace:
He may be a veteran starter, but Graham made the Pro Bowl in 2011 as a special teamer…don’t overlook his presence on Fipp’s impressive unit.
Experience with Jim Schwartz and other personnel:
Just like McKelvin and Brooks, Graham joined the Bills upon the arrival of Jim Schwartz. The Eagles Defensive Co-ordinator helped Graham to a career-high 15 passes defensed in his lone season with the Bills. Surprisingly, Graham also played for the Ravens during the time in which Joe Douglas was working his way up the ladder.
A corner in disguise:
The former fifth-round pick of the Chicago Bears spent eight seasons as a cornerback before moving to the last line of Defense in 2015. While he has been listed as a Safety, it’s worth noting that Graham made his name as a cornerback…and a very reliable one at that.
A veteran presence:
If it’s a veteran corner that the Eagles have been craving, the 32-year old 6’0, 187 lbs defensive back may be among the best options. Graham has spent ten years in the NFL and even if he isn’t working directly as a corner, it’s clear his presence and experience will be invaluable to a team where only Mills, Robinson, and Brooks, have NFL starts.
Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
