The Philadelphia Eagles have a pressing need at cornerback and if the team can’t acquire Darius Slay via trade, then the free agency period could provide the next best option.
Byron Jones (Dallas) and James Bradberry (Carolina) are two of the top names set to hit the market and would both guys looking to cash out, the question has to be asked, which cornerback would be the better fit in Philadelphia.
Hoping to avoid another Nnamdi Asomugha disaster, Howie Roseman and company need to secure a strong cornerback, who can flourish and allow the Eagles defense to take the next step.
Jones has already established his desire to reset the cornerback market and according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com, Bradberry is looking for similar money.
With the Eagles expected to be very active in free agency, here’s a breakdown of what both players bring.
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Byron Jones
Jones will be hitting his prime when the season starts, turning 28 this coming September. Jones gave up just 5.1 yards per target in 2019, 2nd best among cornerbacks in the NFL and an overall grade from Pro Football Focus, of 76.1.
He may not be an interception machine, but he’s stout in coverage, versatile enough to lockdown wideouts and tight ends.
Jones (6-foot, 205 pounds) only gave up 0.39 yards per coverage snap in press-man last season, the second-lowest rate at his position. Jones’s ability to take away one part of the field or a man, would finally allow Jim Schwartz to fully utilize his defensive packages, thus making Avonte Maddox, Cre’Von LeBlanc, Sidney Jones and Rasul Douglas even better players.
James Bradberry
The former second-round pick started to hit his stride last season and he’ll become wealthy because of it. Set to turn 28 in August, Bradberry had his best NFL season, snagging three interceptions, 12 passes defended, 65 tackles and one sack. Is he a player on Jones’s level, or just a guy who’s played better as the competition keyed in on him?
Bradberry has been targeted 210 times over the past two seasons, averaging out to about 7 targets per game. For Jones, who was the Cowboys top performer, opposing signal-callers tested him less than five times per contest.
Bradberry is aggressive, has great size at 6-foot-1, 212 pounds but has a penchant for missing tackles in the open field as well.
