The Philadelphia Eagles are just hours away from the legal tampering period in free agency and one NFL insider believes the cornerback on the market is there for the taking.
ESPN’s Matt Bowens broke down the bets fits when it comes to formations and schemes for several of the top players on the open market and when it came to cornerback, Byron Jones was deemed the best fit for the Birds.
Byron Jones, CB
Best scheme fit: Philadelphia EaglesJones’ lack of on-the-ball production — only two interceptions in five NFL seasons — has to be discussed here. You want to pay up for defensive backs who find the ball and finish. But Jones does have the coverage traits to fit as a man/outside third defender in Philadelphia. That’s the hips, length, and speed.
The Eagles, who played single-high coverages like Cover 1 and Cover 3 on 70.9% of opponent dropbacks this season, desperately need to upgrade at the cornerback position. We can all see that on film. That’s why I’m looking at Jones, who should be in demand if the Cowboys don’t find a way to bring him back.
Jones’s lack of interceptions should be no concern for Eagles fans who watched their cornerbacks get beat for huge plays, time and time again.
Jim Schwartz plays an aggressive defense that requires man to man and press coverage on a majority of the plays called.
Landing Jones would finally allow Schwartz to be more creative on defense while knowing he has that player who can shut someone down when it’s needed most.
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