Eagles Expected to ‘Aggressively Pursue’ Pro Bowl CB from NFC East Rival

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• By Mike Greger

• Updated May 6, 2022 at 11:36am

Getty: New York Giants starting cornerback James Bradberry on October 4, 2020.

The Philadelphia Eagles were thought to be interested in Stephon Gilmore and Patrick Peterson in free agency. Neither one ended up signing a contract to wear a midnight green jersey. Now the team has been tied to another stud cornerback who could be released or traded in the coming days.

The New York Giants have been attempting to move James Bradberry, but his $14.5 million average annual salary has apparently scared teams off. The NFC East basement dwellers might be forced to cut the one-time Pro Bowler to free up $10.1 million if Bradberry is designated with a post-June 1 release date. If that happens, expect the Eagles to make a phone call.

According to The Draft Network’s Justin Melo, general manager Howie Roseman is "expected to aggressively pursue Bradberry if and when he becomes available.” The Eagles don’t have a starting-caliber cornerback on the roster to pair opposite Darius Slay after letting Steven Nelson walk in free agency.

Bradberry ranked 58th among all qualifying corners in 2021 with a 62.8 grade, per Pro Football Focus. He would step in immediately and start for the Eagles. Other teams thought to be vying for Bradberry’s services are the Las Vegas Raiders and Seattle Seahawks.

"Philadelphia must be better prepared to defend the pass going forward if they hope to win the NFC East over Dak Prescott and the high-octane Dallas Cowboys,” wrote Melo. "Signing away Bradberry from their division rival Giants would also lead to some fun bragging rights and talking points for Eagles fans.”

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Eagles Keep Saying They Like Their Young CBs

Many expected the Eagles to take a cornerback in the 2022 NFL draft, especially after rumors circulated about them possibly moving up. Ahmad "Sauce” Gardner and Derek Stingley Jr. were the two biggest names linked to them. But the team ignored the position and traded up for Jordan Davis.

After the draft, Roseman addressed the decision not to take a cornerback and hyped up the young options on his roster. Philadelphia did ink Clemson’s Mario Goodrich and Alabama’s Joshua Jobe as undrafted rookie free agents.

"We tried to get a little more aggressive after the draft,” Roseman said, "but I think the way we look at the defensive backfield position, particularly the corners, when you look at kind of what we did last year after we got to camp and claiming Mac [McCain III] and bringing Mac in and trading for Josiah [Scott] and trading for Kary [Vincent, Jr.] and trading for Tay [Gowan], those are all guys that we had good grades on.

"They are young, talented guys that will have the first time going through our offseason program, and we look at them almost as part of this draft class in terms of adding guys who, for the first time, go through our offseason and get a chance to be with our coaches.”

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Team Signs 3 Players to Rookie Contracts

The Eagles officially inked defensive tackle Jordan Davis, linebacker Kyron Johnson, and tight end Grant Calcaterra to rookie contracts on Thursday. Those deals were just formalities as the team looks to get all five of their draft picks under contract for the start of rookie minicamps this weekend.

Davis’ deal was the most noteworthy as the first-rounder signed a four-year deal worth $17 million fully guaranteed, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Davis will be fighting for a starting spot on the defensive line alongside Javon Hargrave and Fletcher Cox.

https://heavy.com/sports/philadelphia-eagles/james-bradberry-giants/

I believe the Eagles will be interested. We know Howie explores all options so we know he'll do his due diligence. But do I think they'll be aggressive? No I don't. I do think they want to find out what they have in their young CBs.

Of course they are being positive about the young corners. No matter what else happens some of those guys will be on the team and eroding their confidence and spirit would be stupid. That being said - if it's not Bradberry it'll be Fuller, Wayans, or King. 

I really like the CBA setup with rookies. No more dumb holdouts and contract disputes by guys who haven't done a thing. 

3 hours ago, UK_EaglesFan89 said:

I believe the Eagles will be interested. We know Howie explores all options so we know he'll do his due diligence. But do I think they'll be aggressive? No I don't. I do think they want to find out what they have in their young CBs.

 

54 minutes ago, Rob331 said:

Of course they are being positive about the young corners. No matter what else happens some of those guys will be on the team and eroding their confidence and spirit would be stupid. That being said - if it's not Bradberry it'll be Fuller, Wayans, or King. 

I really like the CBA setup with rookies. No more dumb holdouts and contract disputes by guys who haven't done a thing. 

Yeah I'm not buying confidence in the young corners. It's not like we have first or second rounders waiting in the wings. I'm pretty confident they will sign a veteran, particularly as there is not much we can do now at safety.

Make a push at Bradberry. If not any one of Fuller, Wayans, King or Haden works. 

9 hours ago, Rob331 said:

Of course they are being positive about the young corners. No matter what else happens some of those guys will be on the team and eroding their confidence and spirit would be stupid. That being said - if it's not Bradberry it'll be Fuller, Wayans, or King. 

I really like the CBA setup with rookies. No more dumb holdouts and contract disputes by guys who haven't done a thing. 

One or two of these young corners should contribute. Nelson didn’t do anything special. Might as well let all these guys(McCain, McPherson, Gowan Island, Vincent Jr , Chachere), that were rostered last season holding onto a spot, compete and prove themselves. Had PS guys and others they released. So these guys were chosen. Had a couple of guys they like fall undrafted this year. My early thought is Gowan locks in the starting outside job. McPherson contributes in versatility and special packages. If you roster that many guys that aren’t mostly contributing…..a couple need to prove right…..or you’re doing a terrible job as a GM.

Bradbury will probably be pursued by a bunch of teams, some with alot more cap space than the eagles, so I'll believe it when I see it.  

There have been quite a few day 3 CB picks that have become productive starters at CB over the years.  CB is a tough position to play and many kids with the athletic ability to play the position need better coaching and experience than they get in college.  So they drop in the draft.

I the eagles coaches feel that some of these young guys can develop to be a starter, it is worth giving them a chance to earn it....Bradbury is going to command a big salary.  If the eagles feel it's worth it, then of course, you sign him.  But they may be willing to wait a year to take a CB early next.