When the Philadelphia Eagles used a second-round pick on Sidney Jones, they envisioned a player with a unique skill set whose game could translate to the NFL in a similar fashion to that of Stephon Gilmore.
Things never materialized for Jones here in Philadelphia and on Saturday, he was released along with Rasul Douglas.
Here are four takeaways from the huge move:
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1. Howie Roseman’s 2017 draft class never materialized
Roseman entered the 2017 NFL Draft in Philadelphia with hopes of adding integral parts to what would become a Super Bowl roster. The Lombardi Trophy was delivered, but Roseman’s 2017 draft class will go down in history for all the wrong reasons after Jones was released on Saturday.
The only players remaining from that ten-man class are Derek Barnett and Nate Gerry. If not for Gerry becoming a starter at linebacker, this class would be even more dismal.
Barnett had his fifth-year option picked up, but if he doesn’t have a strong 2020 season, the Eagles could look to move on.
2. Eagles grew tired of nagging injuries
Jones entered the league injured and teams shouldn’t hold that against a player, but the former Washington Huskies star spent more time in the training room than he did on the field. Jones started eight of 22 games he played in and weeks after Howie Roseman stated that he was running out of time in Philadelphia, Jones again missed extended time with an injury.
3. Craig James can play cornerback and special teams
James’s contract extension had less to do with him being a really good cornerback and more about his ability to play cornerback and special teams, something Jones was unable to do. With salary cap issues and cost-cutting needed, James’s ability to do two things better than Jones does one was the mitigating factor.
4. Jones still has time to blossom
It wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibilities for Jones to land elsewhere and flourish because of more zone coverage or a better system. Jones was a second-round pick for a reason and before his Achilles injury, he displayed top-10 potential prior to the 2017 NFL Draft. Jones will get another shot because of his pedigree.
