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New Las Vegas Raiders CB Eli Apple.
One spot the Eagles can be smart to shore up is cornerback. The place was a revolving door in 2019, one which was often open.
Philadelphia ranked 14th within the NFL in passing yards allowed final season after surrendering 241.6 yards per recreation. That quantity isn’t atrocious, proper in the course of the pack. However, the secondary gave up 27 touchdowns whereas choosing up simply 11 complete interceptions. Their turnover ratio was a disappointing -3.
The Eagles appeared for playmakers (learn: interceptions) in free company by buying and selling for Professional-Bowl cornerback Darius Slay, however ended the search there. As an alternative, they’ll enter the 2020 marketing campaign with Avonte Maddox and Sidney Jones competing for the opposite beginning slot.
Rasul Douglas will combine in, with Cre’Von LeBlanc and Nickell Robey-Coleman manning the nickel nook spot. Regardless of the potential these gamers deliver to the desk, the workforce might need to add depth. Let’s examine the open market.
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NFL Rumors: Eagles High Choices at Cornerback
Logan Ryan
The native child (Berlin, NJ, about 30 minutes from Philly) has performed little to deflate his inventory since leaving New England in 2016. In reality, the 29-year-old cornerback has seen his manufacturing rise in Tennessee after recording 113 mixed tackles and 18 move breakups in 2019, each profession highs. His 4 interceptions final yr had been the second-best complete in his seven-year profession. He’s additionally an efficient and keen blitzer, traits that Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz maintain expensive. So, what’s the difficulty? Properly, Ryan has reportedly been unwilling to just accept lower than $10 million per yr.
Prince Amukamara
He was a cap casualty of the Bears again in February in a transfer that saved them $9 million. Amukamara lacks the one measurable that folks use to guage cornerbacks: interceptions, with simply 10 profession picks and 0 in 2019. However the numbers don’t inform the entire story. He was not often focused in Chicago with groups selecting to go after Kyle Fuller. Amukamara, who will flip 31 in June, has solely given up 100 yards to an opposing receiver as soon as since 2014.
Darqueze Dennard
Dennard’s take care of Jacksonville fell aside in late March after the perimeters couldn’t conform to the “remaining phrases” of the contract. The previous Bengals nook was in search of a three-year contract valued at $13.5 million, with $6 million assured. That’s an affordable worth for a man who put up the 15th finest protection grade on 290 protection snaps in 2019, per Professional Soccer Focus. Nonetheless, Dennard has struggled with each consistency and sturdiness. He additionally makes a dwelling as a nickel nook and the Eagles have a ton of these.
Eli Apple
That is one other participant who noticed his first deal in free company get torn up when he and the Raiders couldn’t finalize phrases. Apple’s one-year deal was price $6 million per yr, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Apple, who grew up in Philly and attended Jap Regional Excessive Faculty in Voorhees, NJ, could be probably the most enticing choice on the market. The previous first-round choose (10th general in 2016) has been praised for his measurement (6-foot-1) and size (31 3/eight arms). He has three interceptions and 33 passes defensed in 5 years. He’s additionally very aware of the NFC East having performed for the New York Giants.
Jeremiah McKinnon
The Eagles launched McKinnon final August after he signed a futures contract with the squad. There was simply no room on the inn, plus the 26-year-old left so much to be desired. He was overwhelmed badly fairly a number of occasions in protection. He had 11 tackles and two passes defensed in 4 preseason video games. Nonetheless, he went on to play for the XFL’s New York Guardians the place he noticed motion in two video games. He’s good mates with present Eagles nook Cre’Von LeBlanc and could possibly be an intriguing camp physique with good velocity (4.47 seconds within the 40). The Eagles have been bringing former gamers again into the nest on the common, too.
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