The Philadelphia Eagles landed the prize of the NFL offseason, spurning the opportunity to throw huge money at Byron Jones and instead choosing to trade picks to the Detroit Lions for Darius Slay.
Tired of watching opposing quarterbacks and wide receivers connect for deep balls and huge gains, Howie Roseman landed Jim Schwartz a guy capable of shutting down an opposing team’s number one guy.
Slay leads NFL in passes broken up since 2015 and is one of just 2 cornerbacks named to 3 straight Pro Bowls (Jalen Ramsey).
In an ESPN.com ranking of position upgrades around the NFL, Slay replacing Ronald Darby was named the fifth-biggest position upgrade.
5. Philadelphia Eagles, CB
Darius Slay replaces Ronald Darby
Darby’s 2019 stat line: 37 tackles, 2 INTs
Slay’s 2020 projection: 53 tackles, 2 INTsThe Eagles traded for Slay following seven consecutive seasons of finishing ninth or worse in yardage allowed to opposing wide receivers. Philadelphia has allowed the most targets, receptions and yardage to the position during the span, and it’s not close. Meanwhile, Slay quickly emerged as one of the league’s premier shadow corners after being selected in the second round of the 2013 draft. He has at least a pair of interceptions and 13-plus passes defensed each of the past six seasons. In fact, Slay’s 99 passes defensed since 2014 are easily most in the NFL. He joins fellow newcomer and slot man Nickell Robey-Coleman in Philadelphia’s overhauled secondary.
Adding Slay to the roster finally gives the Eagles the shutdown caliber cornerback that they’ve lacked for years.
Drafted by then Lions-head coach Jim Schwartz back in 2013, Slay has rounded into one of the best shutdown corners in the NFL and the Eagles finally have a guy who can win one on one battles with the best.
Slay allowed only three touchdowns on 93 targets last season, according to Pro Football Reference, and should allow Schwartz and the defensive coaching staff to put the rest of the secondary in positions to be successful in matchups going forward.
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