Inside the Iggles
FanSided

Inquiring Minds: Is Ron Brooks a legitimate NFL starting corner?

By Geoffrey Knox

Oct 9, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Ron Brooks (33) looks to his right before the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Lions won 24-23. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Ron Brooks (33) looks to his right before the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Lions won 24-23. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

There’s a chance Ron Brooks isn’t on the Eagles’ roster when the 2017 regular season begins.

The Philadelphia Eagles signed cornerback Ron Brooks to a three-year deal on March 9th of 2016. Many of the team’s fans, to that point, had payed little attention with what was going on with the Buffalo Bills (for good reasons obviously). They did, however, know one thing at the time of his signing.The former fourth-round selection was a student of the Eagles’ new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. There was also the excitement of knowing his most productive season came while playing in Schwartz’s system.

Brooks was supposed to add depth to a cornerback rotation that included Nolan Carroll III and Leodis McKelvin. Then, Brooks ruptured his quadriceps tendon against the Minnesota Vikings and watched the rest of the season from the sidelines. Since that time, McKelvin has been released and has yet to find a home. Carroll was allowed to walk during the free agency period as well. He’s now a member of the Dallas Cowboys.

A quick look ahead:

The 2017 NFL Draft is set to begin in Philadelphia on April 27th. The Eagles are certain to take at least one cornerback in the draft. Honestly, if they decided to take two, no one would be surprised. Add the newly acquired Eagles to the depth chart, and you would have quite a few bodies at the position. Unfortunately, there’s still no real answer as to what this teams long-term plans are.

Oct 23, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Ron Brooks (33) is carted off the field after injuring his leg during the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Ron Brooks (33) is carted off the field after injuring his leg during the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

The current depth chart:

Brooks is currently listed as one of the team’s six cornerbacks, and outside of newly acquired Patrick Robinson, he’s the one with the most experience. With that being said, why aren’t we discussing him more when we debate the Eagles’ long-term plans for the secondary?

Jalen Mills is entering his second season. Aaron Grymes and C.J. Smith are still getting their feet wet in the NFL. It would seem Brooks should be talented enough and experienced enough to beat any of those guys out for the starting spot, but that doesn’t seem to be a foregone conclusion. If the Eagles do select two corners in the upcoming draft, we might need to start asking an even bigger question. Can Brooks even make the roster in 2016?

Related Story: Can Gratz flourish in the underdog role?

Based on the Eagles’ recent history, one might guess Brooks is destined to leave and enjoy better success somewhere else (or he could sign with the New England Patriots and win a Super Bowl). He’ll be back in the fold in 2017, and when he returns, everyone should hope he plays at the level many expected when he was brought to Philadelphia. It would definitely be a welcome surprise and a nice problem to have.

Home/Eagles News