Could Giants castoff be answer to Eagles' cornerback need?

 

 

 

Reuben Frank

EAGLES INSIDER

The Eagles desperately need a veteran cornerback. And a 28-year-old who had four interceptions last year and was a Pro Bowler the year before is now available.

This makes too much sense.

The Giants on Monday released James Bradberry after they were unable to trade him and his huge salary.

Bradberry signed a three-year, $43.5 million contract with the Giants in March 2020 after spending his first four seasons with the Panthers.

He was due $13.4 million in base salary in 2022 but with a $21.86 million salary cap hit. He’ll still count nearly $12 million against the Giants’ 2022 cap but his release saves the Giants over $10 million in cap space.

Because Bradberry is a vested veteran with more than four years of pension service and because he was released before the trade deadline, he doesn’t go through the waiver process, immediately becomes a free agent. The team that signs him won't be burdened by his previous contract like they would have if they traded for him.

The Eagles did not sign a cornerback during free agency, and they didn’t draft one last month.

So with training camp 2 ½ months away, they have a bunch of young unproven corners, but they don’t have an established CB2 to play opposite Pro Bowler Darius Slay.

Among the candidates are Zech McPhearson, last year’s 4^th-round pick; Tay Gowan, Kary Vincent Jr., Josiah Scott and Mac McCain, who were all here for at least part of last season; and recent undrafted rookie additions Mario Goodrich, Josh Jobe and Josh Blackwell.

Bradberry, originally a 2^nd-round pick of the Panthers in 2016, started immediately for Carolina and has started 91 of a possible 97 games over the past six seasons.

His 15 interceptions since 2016 are 7^th-most by NFL corners, and his 82 pass deflections in his six seasons are 2^nd-most – two fewer than Slay.

For the sake of comparison, Ronald Darby has the most interceptions by an Eagles cornerback over the last six years with six, and Jalen Mills has the most pass deflections with 40.

The big question facing the Eagles is what kind of contract Bradberry is looking for and whether the Eagles can afford him.

According to OverTheCap, the Eagles have $10.2 million in available cap space.

They’re already paying Slay just over $50 million over three years, and he currently has cap figures of $10.1 million this year and $22.0 million next year.

Slay is already the 7^th-highest-paid corner in the league with his $16.68 million, and Bradberry was the 11^th-highest-paid before he was released with his $14.5 million average.

There are 20 corners with an average annual salary of $10 million per year, and Bradberry is a top-20 corner.

Would Howie Roseman really want to give premium contracts to two corners?

Nobody is better at structuring contracts and fitting them into tight salary cap spaces.

The Eagles won’t overpay for any veteran free agents, but if Roseman can make the numbers work, this one is a no-brainer.

https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/eagles/why-eagles-should-pursue-former-giants-pro-bowl-corner-james-bradberry

It does make a lot of sense. I mean for this year it gives the Eagles a huge boost opposite Slay. Bradberry is a very good corner. He's a very high end #2. And also in the medium term it would be a good addition too. He could be the Bridge player once Slay either moves on or retires in a year or two. 

2 hours ago, UK_EaglesFan89 said:

It does make a lot of sense. I mean for this year it gives the Eagles a huge boost opposite Slay. Bradberry is a very good corner. He's a very high end #2. And also in the medium term it would be a good addition too. He could be the Bridge player once Slay either moves on or retires in a year or two. 

My thoughts are, IF they do decide to go the veteran route, then Bradberry makes a ton of sense.  He wouldn't be a 1 year overpriced over-the-hill veteran band aid - he'd fill a need potentially for the next 3-4 years.  It would allow us options in the draft next year (we wouldn't be forced to use a high pick on the position ... something we've now neglected for the past 20 years with the exception of Jones).  If we did draft one high he wouldn't be forced into the lineup immediately and would then likely be groomed as Slay's eventual successor since he is a few years older (31) and his inevitable decline getting nearer.  

7 hours ago, time2rock said:

My thoughts are, IF they do decide to go the veteran route, then Bradberry makes a ton of sense.  He wouldn't be a 1 year overpriced over-the-hill veteran band aid - he'd fill a need potentially for the next 3-4 years.  It would allow us options in the draft next year (we wouldn't be forced to use a high pick on the position ... something we've now neglected for the past 20 years with the exception of Jones).  If we did draft one high he wouldn't be forced into the lineup immediately and would then likely be groomed as Slay's eventual successor since he is a few years older (31) and his inevitable decline getting nearer.  

Agreed and that's why this makes so much sense really. Plus let's not forget, if Hurts doesn't work out this year then the chances are they go QB next year. So the likelihood is they won't be addressing CB that high next year either. 

I have a suspicion that Bradberry is going to get paid very well.

• Texans tried to trade for him, but couldn't agree to terms with a new contract and negotiations will reportedly continue even after release
• Raiders have already said they want to sign him.
• Steelers and Chiefs are already interested.

2 year / $16 mil is something I saw reported on twitter.  I predict someone will spend way too much signing him and will regret it.  I'd like him in Philly, but this feels like a hard pass.

 

My guess is that the Eagles do replace Steven Nelson before opening day, but that his replacement will be much cheaper than Bradberry