4 Philadelphia Eagles who need to have a breakout season in 2020

So far, Sidney Jones‘ NFL career has been a rollercoaster ride. After being labeled as a surefire first-round selection, he tore his Achilles at a Washington Huskies Pro Day and fell to the second round of 2017’s NFL Draft, where the ‘Birds’ selected him 43rd overall.

His first season was basically a redshirt year. His second saw injuries and inconsistency. When 2019’s season began (his third), he was once again expected to start at nickel but was disappointing early, and as the season went on, he struggles so much that the Eagles designated as a ‘healthy scratch’ on more than one occasion.

Sitting on the sidelines appeared to light a spark in the 23-year-old. Then, as fate would have it, he started to get some opportunities. It started when he broke up a third-down pass late in the fourth quarter on his only defensive snap in the Monday night matchup with the New York Giants. That helped give the Eagles some momentum, and they battled their way into overtime.

Fast-forward to Week 16 and Jones found his way onto the field for a fourth and eight play against the Dallas Cowboys. He helped seal the deal with a pass breakup in the end zone while playing one-on-one against Michael Gallup.

One week later, when the Eagles had to win in New York to win the division and make the playoffs, a shortage of cornerbacks forced Jones into action. He didn’t disappoint. In perhaps his best game as an Eagle, he finished with three pass breakups and an interception to help the Eagles clinch the fourth seed in the NFC Playoffs.

While Jones has struggled for the majority of his career in Philly, he’s shown promise late, and he may earn an opportunity in 2020. He could be trade bait, but if he isn’t, he’ll be one of the more interesting storylines heading into 2020. So will Sweat, Dillard and Arcega-Whiteside.