The Eagles are set for a gigantic retool this offseason and they’ll likely start on the outside, where they need drastic upgrades at wide receiver and cornerback.
Philadelphia can address the receiver position via one of the deepest drafts in NFL history, but cornerback is not as deep a position in the 2020 NFL Draft and Howie Roseman could use free agency as a hunting ground.
Roseman and company may already have their eyes on two talented targets at the position.
According to Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network, the Eagles are interested in both Denver Broncos corner Chris Harris and Byron Jones of the Dallas Cowboys.
The word here in Mobile is that the Philadelphia Eagles will go hard after a cornerback in free agency. Chris Harris and Byron Jones are two of the names being thrown around, but I expect the Eagles to turn over every rock in free agency in an attempt to fill the position.
The report isn’t a major surprise and with Ronald Darby and Jalen Mills both likely to move on in free agency, the Eagles are expected to revamp the cornerback position and those two names will likely be the cream of the crop for cornerbacks.
With the Eagles needing to make changes and both Jones and Harris not being locks to end up here, we’ve provided 7 potential free agent targets at the position.
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1. Byron Jones
Jones, is only 27 and entering his prime. He would provide a huge upgrade at cornerback for the Eagles while weakening their rival Dallas Cowboys. Jones is a shutdown cornerback regardless of numbers and would provide Jim Schwartz with the player that can allow the Eagles defense to pressure opposing quarterbacks. Jones isn’t an interception machine, but he doesn’t give up the big play and his physical enough to cover wideouts and tight ends.
2. Chris Harris
The Eagles were buyers at the trade deadline for Harris, but the asking price was too much for Howie Roseman. Harris is a four-time Pro Bowler and one-time All-Pro selection, who can play on the outside and be dominant in the slot.
Harris turns 31 in June and would go against Howie Roseman’s claim of wanting to get younger at important positions.
3. Xavien Howard, Miami Dolphins
Howard had an up and down 2019 season and is dealing with a domestic violence arrest that ended his season. Howard is a great playmaker, who excels in man-to-man coverage. Howard would have familiarity with the Eagles schemes as Jim Schwartz’s defensive assistant Matt Burke was his defensive coordinator for two seasons in Miami. Howard, a former second-round pick of the Dolphins, led the NFL with seven interceptions last season and has amassed 11 since 2017, with 25 passes defended.
4. Kendall Fuller, Kansas City Chiefs
Fuller’s primarily a slot corner but is as good as anyone at the position with his foot speed and would provide a dynamic upgrade at the position for the Eagles.
5. Logan Ryan
Ryan just finished up the final year of a $30 million deal with the Titans and could be a nice addition to the Eagles roster. Ryan is great in coverage and excels in blitz packages as well.
6. Trae Waynes
The Vikings first-round pick in 2015, Waynes is already one of the best-tackling corners in the league, he’s is decent in coverage and excels at limited the run after the catch, something the Eagles have struggled with.
7. Eli Apple
The former Giants 10th overall pick has found a home in New Orleans as he’s set to test free agency. He spent most of the season as one of the highest-graded cornerbacks in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus. Last season, Apple intercepted a pair of passes and was credited with nine passes defended in 10 games with New Orleans.
