After the first two months of free agency and the recent NFL draft, the Eagles are still in dire need of cornerback depth. Zech McPhearson could end up being a key piece at corner, but the team desperately needs (good) experience at CB2 across from Darius Slay. While some of the free agent names I will list are obvious to some, maybe some of the trade names I list will be of interest to others.
Free Agency
Steven Nelson
The six-year pro is still looking for a new home after being released by the Steelers in March. The Eagles are said to be in on him:
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Nelson had two interceptions last season in 15 games while allowing only 58.3% completion on 98 targets.
Gareon Conley
The former third round pick missed all of 2020 due to injury, but was once a heralded prospect coming out of Ohio State. If healthy, Conley (only 25) would serve as an immediate upgrade at CB2 and could see a resurgence under Jonathan Gannon’s tutelage.
Bashaud Breeland
With 14 career interceptions in seven seasons, Breeland definitely has a nose for the ball. However, Breeland is probably best suited for slot corner, where Avonte Maddox currently resides. Sure, Breeland could be an upgrade, but that would send Maddox back to the outside where we definitely do not want to see him line up again.
Trade
Greedy Williams – Browns
A product of “DBU”, Williams has yet to put it all together after being a second round pick for the Browns in 2019. He played in 64% of defensive snaps in 12 games in his rookie year while allowing 61.3% of passes completed on 62 targets.
With Denzel Ward, newly signed Troy Hill, and new draft pick Greg Newsome in the fold, there may not be room for Greedy Williams. If Williams has a subpar camp, the Browns could shop him around.
Bradley Roby
Going between slot and outside in 2019, Roby was passable as a corner. However, he performed much better on the outside. After five years of near elite play for the Denver Broncos, Roby joined the Texans in 2019 and had two interceptions in 10 games. Going into the 2020 season, only Marshon Lattimore had a higher forced incompletion percentage, 26.0%, than Roby’s 25.4%. 2020 also saw 10 games for Roby, but he was suspended at the end of the season for testing positive for a banned substance. Roby put out a statement that he unknowingly took the substance.
Roby’s suspension goes into week one of the 2021 season, but the Texans could be looking to move him well before that. He was absent from a game in 2020 due to issues with the coaching staff but even a new staff could want him gone.
Stephon Gilmore
Hear me out.
He’s 31 and the Patriots could be looking to offload some veterans while they still have value. Trading Gilmore would save the Patriots $7.7 million, which would be all the acquiring team would be on the hook for in 2021.
If the Eagles’ lack of cornerback interest at the top of the draft means they’re waiting for a 2022 draft class that features Derek Stingley, Kaiir Elam, Sevyn Banks, and Josh Jobe, they could do worse than acquiring Gilmore as a bridge to whoever they draft next season.
I’d say offer Ertz, but the Patriots signed every free agent tight end. A mid-round pick swap in 2022 plus a 2023 draft pick could do the deal after the Eagles trade Ertz to Arizona for Jordan Hicks.
Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire
