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Could Washington CB Sidney Jones be a value pick for the Eagles?

By Justin Grasso

Oct 22, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies defensive back Sidney Jones (26) in action against the Oregon State Beavers during the first quarter at Husky Stadium. Washington won 41-17. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies defensive back Sidney Jones (26) in action against the Oregon State Beavers during the first quarter at Husky Stadium. Washington won 41-17. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sidney Jones may have suffered a serious injury, but that doesn’t mean the Eagles shouldn’t draft him.

The 2017 NFL Draft is less then a month away. After signing two wide receivers in free agency, the Philadelphia Eagles may now be shifting their attention to drafting on the defensive side of the ball. After cutting cornerback Leodis McKelvin and letting Nolan Carroll walk, the Eagles are left with a slim secondary headlined by one-year vet Jalen Mills and five-year vet Ron Brooks.

It’s been a while since the Eagles have had stable corners. After years of trying to patch up the secondary issues through free agency, it is now time for the Eagles to gamble on a corner and draft one high. This year’s draft may be one of the best draft classes for cornerbacks. ESPN’s draft genius Mel Kiper has projected at least five Corners getting taken in the first round. None of those projected picks were Washington’s Sidney Jones.

The thought of Jones being able to come right out of college and be a starter in the NFL instantly seemed very promising. Unfortunately, that thought was shot down as he tore his Achilles during Washington’s pro day. The six-foot, 186-pound corner did not lose hope though, as he tweeted that he will be back playing this season after surgery.

https://twitter.com/SidneyJonesIV/status/844247364307238912

So what does a torn Achilles do to Sidney Jones’ draft stock? According to CBS Sports, Jones is still projected to go in the second or third round despite the fact that he may never actually see the field for his rookie season.

So should the Eagles take a gamble on the injured prospect? It wouldn’t be such a bad idea. It is no secret that the Eagles have a lot of work to do and have a lot of holes to fill before they can truly compete for a Super Bowl. This is a young team that lacks experience and as much as it pains fans to say, they are in the process of a re-build.

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Sidney Jones would have a realistic opportunity of trying to win the starting cornerback job for Philadelphia when he returns from his injury. Some fans may be skeptical about drafting a young, unproven player fresh out of surgery in one of the higher-rounds, but this could end up being one of the best value picks in a long time if the Eagles take a shot on Jones.

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