Cornerback Should Be Philadelphia Eagles 2015 Draft Priority
Dec 14, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) makes a catch for a touchdown as Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Bradley Fletcher (24) defends in the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. The Cowboys defeated the Eagles 38-27. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
During the 2013-2014 Philadelphia Eagles season, fans were pained at times watching their beloved team give up a league worst 4,636 total passing yards and yielding the most passing yards per game (289.8). Eagles opponents were highly effective throwing the ball on the Eagles secondary throughout the year, and much of that, in my opinion, was attributed to the shaky Philadelphia safety play.
Going into the 2014 draft, I believed the Eagles needed to draft a difference-making safety, and I wrote this article stating safety Ha’Sean “Ha-ha” Clinton-Dix would be a perfect fit. But alas Clinton-Dix was not available when the Eagles drafted linebacker Marcus Smith with the 26th pick, so the Eagles went to free agency to address their safety needs re-signing safety Nate Allen and adding veteran safety Malcolm Jenkins in the off season.
While I liked the Malcolm Jenkins signing, and I thought rolling with Nate Allen was as good as they could do given their circumstances last season, the Eagles secondary struggled once again. This season’s 2014-2015 Eagles defense did not improve giving up both the second worst total passing yards (4,238) and passing yards per game (264.9). Unlike last season, I do not hang the defensive backfield challenges as much on the safety play because I thought Jenkins who had a league high 18 passes defended for the safety position and Allen who led the team with four interceptions both had ok seasons. However, cornerback should be the the Philadelphia Eagles 2015 draft priority.
I believe that both starting cornerbacks Cary Williams and Bradley Fletcher underperformed at times during the 2014 regular season. While Williams did seem to improve his play over the past month of the season, he has a high salary at just over $6.4 million and I do not think his production justifies the team paying him that much in 2015. Williams season rankings according to Pro Football Focus are as follows:
1,117 snaps played (1st), 86 targets (17th out of 110), 49 receptions (31st), 662 yards (23rd), five touchdowns (17th), 2 interceptions (31st), 5 pass deflections (44th), 91.3 quarterback rating when thrown his way (53rd)
Bradley Fletcher’s situation is, in my opinion, substantially different from Cary’s. Fletcher never looked comfortable and opponents picked on him throughout the year. Fletcher’s ranked as one of the worst cornerbacks in the league according to Pro Football Focus:
1,094 snaps (2nd), 115 targets (2nd), 61 receptions (6th), 1072 yards (1st), 9 touchdowns (1st), 1 interception (56th), 18 pass deflections (1st), 107.6 quarterback rating when thrown his way (24th)
Fletcher is a free agent this off-season and I do not believe there is any way the Eagles will bring him back. To round out the secondary, cornerback Brandon Boykin is one of the best slot CB’s in the league, in my opinion, but even he regressed a little from the previous season. I projected Boykin would make the Pro Bowl in spite of his lack of snaps and that he would push to start at cornerback, but he proved me wrong on both accounts. What this all leads up to is the fact that I think Philadelphia will overhaul their cornerbacks through the draft and free agency.
Next week I will take an in-depth look at the rookies and veterans who will be available for head coach Chip Kelly and newly signed defensive backs coach Cory Undlin. One thing is for certain, no matter which players Philadelphia signs, there is only room for improvement.