Eagles should sign now free-agent CB James Bradberry

By Eliot Shorr-Parks

17 hours ago

The New York Giants released cornerback James Bradberry on Monday, ending a long standoff between the two sides this offseason.

Losing Bradberry is a major loss for the Giants.

It can be a major win for the Eagles.

Now that he is a free agent the Eagles should absolutely try to sign Bradberry, a 28-year old who can be a No. 1 cornerback on most teams and would be arguably the best No. 2 cornerback in the NFL.

Bradberry would also fill a major hole for the Eagles at the No. 2 cornerback spot.

The team currently has Darius Slay as a starter on one side, Avonte Maddox in the nickel and not much else. They are hoping that one of the young players, like Zech McPhearson, can take a big step forward this season and become a full-time starter. There is some obvious reward in that risk, as it would give the Eagles a low-cost, young starting cornerback.

The risk, however, is big. None of the cornerback on the roster outside of Slay and Maddox have played meaningful snaps. While it is possible one steps up and gives them adequate cornerback play, it is probably unlikely, and could leave the Eagles looking for help at cornerback in training camp.

Bradberry would give the Eagles not only an immediate upgrade at No. 2, but the Pro-Bowl cornerback would also give the Eagles a backup plan should Slay go down. Slay’s ability to lockdown the opposing No. 1 cornerback is a huge part of the Eagles defense, and if he were to miss significant time, the secondary would be in serious trouble.

Bradberry has experience following and shutting down opposing No. 1 receivers, having gone against elite receivers during his time in the NFC South and now in the NFC East. Bradberry’s experience in the division is an added bonus, especially against receivers like CeeDee Lamb and Terry McLaurin.

Financially, Bradberry isn’t going to be cheap, but it would be money well spent. The Eagles could also easily turn a $10 million singing bonus, for example, into a contract that only costs around $2 million per year over a 5-year deal — which would pretty much make no impact on the cap.

The Eagles certainly have bigger needs on the roster. Safety remains a massive issue. Right now, however, there is a chance to seriously upgrade their No. 2 cornerback spot.

It is an opportunity they should absolutely take advantage of.

https://www.audacy.com/94wip/sports/eagles/philadelphia-eagles-should-sign-james-bradberry

I honestly can't stand ESP.  But I agree on signing Bradberry.  I think he'd be a logical, solid pickup at this point.  It wasn't that long ago when we had that season where we were signing players off the street to play in the secondary due to injuries.  If Slay goes down, like he says, our secondary would go from "bad" to "horrific" in a hurry. 

Question is, can the Eagles be financially competitive.  They won't be the only ones courting him.  

Howie needs to work some cap magic and sign this guy. The depth at CB is troubling. 

Normally I would be more in the camp of preferring to let the young CBs on the roster duke it out for spots on the roster and the right to start opposite Slay rather than sign an overpriced vet that is long in the tooth and on the decline.  I'd have zero interest in signing a 34 year old on a bloated contract for one year with multiple void years added on the backend.  However, Bradberry is an exception ... he is only 28 and could potentially be more of a longer term addition (thinking 3-4 years).  I'd definitely have interest - he and Slay would make a formidable tandem.  

He'd be a vast improvement over what we already have here, but I don't think this is gonna happen.  Two concerns here.  First, he doesn't have any obvious connection to Philly.  His former DC is the head coach of the Bills, and his former coach is now in Washington.  Both of those would be logical destinations for him.  Second, former pro bowl CBs don't often become available, so if he decides to go elsewhere they may be quite a bit of competition for his services.

Let's do it - now!!!

Imagine signing him and comparing this year's defense to last year's. Here goes - 

• Corner - 2021 Slay and Nelson vs 2022 Slay and Bradberry   ADVANTAGE 2022
• Base linebackers - 2021 Singleton, Avery, Edwards vs 2022 Dean, White, Edwards    ADVANTAGE 2022
• Nickle linebackers - 2021 Taylor and Singleton vs 2022 White and Dean     ADVANTAGE 2022
• Pass Rush - 2021 Barnett, Hargrave, Cox, Sweat vs 2022 Reddick, Hargrave, Cox, Sweat   ADVANTAGE 2022
• Run downs - 2021 Barnett, Hargrave, Cox, Sweat vs 2022 Barnett, Davis, Hargrave, BG   Advantage 2022
• Safety - 2021 McCloud and Harris vs 2022 Harris and Epps   Advantage 2021

With this amount of improvement is should equate to at least an additional win and maybe more. 

 

If the price is right.  Howie probably bid but lost out on Mathieu.  He's pretty good at making veterans sweat until the price comes down.  Worked with Nelson et al.

22 minutes ago, Miami said:

Howie probably bid but lost out on Mathieu.

And he was right to do so. 3 years for $30+ million is a ridiculous price for a declining safety. Howie exercised terrific discipline.

It's all in the numbers.  Eagles have a lot of young players on this team.  Sure, they can afford Bradberry if they want to.  But if the team overpays, then that's one or more players currently on the roster who they won't be able to extend.