The Philadelphia Eagles pulled off the huge road upset on Thursday night, defeating the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. The Packers suffered their first loss of the season, while the Birds suffered two more losses in the secondary.
The Eagles defense entered the Packers game with just four healthy cornerbacks, including Craig James, and now their down to just two. Sidney Jones (hamstring) and Avonte Maddox (concussion), left the games with injuries and there’s no timetable on their return. Ronald Darby could miss several weeks, while the team is still awaiting the return of Jalen Mills and Cre’Von LeBlanc.
With the Eagles hurting badly at cornerback, here are six players the Birds could consider adding to the roster.
1. Jalen Ramsey
The Eagles are interested in Ramsey despite the Jaguars reportedly seeking two first-round picks. The Eagles’ pass rush is not what the organization expected entering the season and Jim Schwartz defense has been gashed through the air because his cornerbacks can’t cover for that long. Ramsey would allow Schwartz to get more creative with his coverages and schemes while giving the Eagles the one player who can get a stop when the game is on the line.
2. Captain Munnerlyn
Munnerlyn former slot cornerback for the Panthers who was cut by the Bills at the end of training camp. During his final season with the Panthers, Munnernlyn had 47 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 2 quarterback hits, 1 interception, and one fumble recovery in only five starts.
3. Xavien Howard
Howard is expensive at about $15 million per season, but he’d definitely come cheaper than Ramsey would. Howard has familiarity with the Eagle 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. Sam Shields
A former Packers star, who has struggled with concussions, Shields is still relatively young at 31 years of age. Known for his man-to-man prowess, Shields saw snaps with the Rams last season during their Super Bowl run, and could still have something in the tank.
5. Patrick Peterson
Peterson like Howard wouldn’t come cheap ($14M) and the Cardinals have previously made it known that he’s not available. But with times changing in the desert, could Howie Roseman drop the necessary assets in Cliff Kingsbury’s lap to facilitate a trade?
6. Kayvon Webster
Webster was released by the New Orleans Saints at the end of the preseason, and the Eagles have shown interest in him before. A slot corner who could still have some value, Webster is currently a free agent.
