Philadelphia Eagles 2015 Defensive Backfield Depth Chart

Jan 18, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback

Byron Maxwell

(41) celebrates his second quarter interception against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia Eagles 2015 Defensive Backfield Depth Chart

We’ve heard all the scenarios about quarterback and mortgaging our future, about who we need to get to turn the offense on, but I stumble at the concept that it’s an offense that moves the ball and scores in the top ten that is the shortcomings of this Philadelphia Eagles team.

I’ve found myself in the camp of “fix the defensive backfield, or we fix nothing” camp. To this end, I’ve touched base on the fact that the 2013 Denver Broncos had a similar issue with coupling a very efficient offense with a lagging defense. What they did in the 2014 off-season was impressive – converting the leagues 19th ranked defense in 2013 into the third best defense in 2014.

Giving hope that perhaps this same miraculous turn around could happen on the Eagles defense, the team signed former Denver defensive backs coach Cory Undlin as the new defensive backs coach for 2015.

https://insidetheiggles.com/?p=52485

Of course, the presumption is that the Philadelphia Eagles CAN follow suit and turn this around. But to do that which personnel moves must the Eagles be willing to make?

As of now the defensive backfield is like sitting with starters as:

Left cornerback Cary Williams
Safety Malcolm Jenkins
Safety Earl Wolff
Right cornerback Nolan Carroll
Nickel cornerback Brandon Boykin
Dime defensive back Jaylen Watkins

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This group finished 2014 with 224 tackles, 39 passes defended, and 6 interceptions. Gone from this group are free agent cornerback Bradley Fletcher and safety Nate Allen. With their departure, the Eagles have an opportunity to upgrade at each position.

And moves have already begun. The Eagles wasted no time in turning loose cornerback Cary Williams. While it did give him an opportunity to garner interest before free agency season began, it did place the team into a “no leverage” situation when trying to sign cornerbacks in free agency

And then, confirmation that Byron Maxwell, formerly of the Seattle Seahawks, would become a Philadelphia Eagle.

I can confirm via a source. RT @JaysonBraddock Byron Maxwell deal is done, will become an Eagle Tuesday w/ $25 mil guaranteed
— Jimmy Kempski (@JimmyKempski) March 8, 2015

Free Agency

The first stop in any off-season begins with free agency. Without a solid showing in this off-season, the team enters the draft chasing needs that will be filled by players in their first year of the NFL. As fans have witnessed, that is never a good situation, and particularly disastrous for the Birds.

But this year may be different, as the Eagles may be willing to mix value and compensation to optimize their roster. Let’s discuss some likely acquisitions this free agency:

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Byron Maxwell – Fansided’s own Luke Dahlgren has a nice piece out regarding the fact that the Eagles are considered to be a front runner in signing Maxwell this off-season.
http://fansided.com/2015/02/21/philadelphia-eagles-leading-way-signing-byron-maxwell/

Maxwell is the junior contributor to a defensive backfield that literally shines in the NFL. But don’t mistake that for the belief that Maxwell cannot play. Because he played opposite cornerback Richard Sherman, he often drew the best wide receivers and defended the most passes. His 12 passes defended led the team, and he also contributed 39 tackles and two interceptions. At 6’1″ and 207 pounds, he has the size and physicality that is required of modern NFL cornerbacks.

A true catch by the Seahawks in the 2011 NFL draft, this sixth rounder from Clemson just completed his fourth NFL season and has matured into one of the most fearless defensive backs in the game today. While he will likely draw the most interest in the off-season, he is expected to join former teammate safety Chris Maragos in 2015

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New England Patriots safety Devin McCourty – The best place to shop for upgrades are the teams who make it to the Super Bowl. Granted, not everyone on a team competing for the Lombardi is the best at each position, but the 27 year old safety from Rutgers University is certainly one of top of the class at safety this year.

With 68 tackles, two interceptions, and six passes defended, he’s made a name for himself at a key position in the New England defense. While it’s not a certainty that he will make it to free agency, he would fit into the Eagles defense very nicely. Another young player who has matured into one of the better players in the league, his Super Bowl victory hasn’t worn off long enough for free agency to become a reality.

"“I’m excited for the process to see how it will all work out. I haven’t really thought about it that much even though the season is over, and that’s kind of the top thing on the list. I think just coming down off the Super Bowl run and winning that, maybe next week or the week after it will really start to set in as it really gets closer to the whole free agency, franchise tag and all of that.” – Devin McCourty in an interview with ESPN’s Mike Reiss"

NFL Draft

ROUND 1 Alabama Safety Landon Collins – Considered to be the top rated safety in the 2015 NFL draft, the University of Alabama safety Landon Collins is a perfect compliment to the Eagles cerebral safety Malcolm Jenkins. Rated number one by NFL’s own Mike Mayock, Collins is a solid safety who can crash down into the lanes to stop runners cold, but is equally adept at lining up against tight ends and demonstrates footwork that allows him to match up against slot receivers.

A strength that stood out is his discipline, he rarely is faked by a quarterback looking away. For the coup de grace’, he is an excellent special teams player. A strong presence at 6’0″ and 222 pounds, Collins is absolutely well matched to line up and bring the pain.

Round 2 Floride State University Cornerback PJ Williams – At 6’0″ and 190 pounds, this Seminole brings the right size to the NFL. But it’s not just his size that makes him ideal for the Philadelphia Eagles defense. His glaring weakness is his physicality, which will draw flags in the NFL. But he can play on an island or in a zone.

His memory is myopic, and can easily go from being beaten on one play to making an outstanding play the very next down. He is ideal for an aggressive man-cover defense. Mocked to the Eagles in the second round, this prospect is rated as the third best cornerback in the 2015 draft by the NFL’s Mike Mayock.

Projected 2015 starting defensive backfield
Left cornerback PJ Williams
Safety Malcolm Jenkins
Safety Devin McCourty/Landon Collins
Right cornerback Byron Maxwell
Nickel cornerback Brandon Boykin
Dime defensive back Devin McCourty/Landon Collins.

If the Eagles simply make two free agent signings, and dedicate their first two draft picks to the defensive backfield, this is the result. You can project the stats for this defensive backfield to come in about 270 tackles, 60 passes defended and 18 interceptions. And that, I believe, would be good enough to place the defense among the top of the NFL.

Wouldn’t that be better than cringing over a rookie quarterback’s mistakes?

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