Philadelphia Eagles' Top Free-Agency Targets at Cornerback

It’s no secret the Philadelphia Eagles need help at cornerback. Bradley Fletcher, mercifully, if a free agent. Cary Williams is a potential salary-cap casualty. Nolan Carroll doesn’t appear to be a viable replacement, and even slot specialist Brandon Boykin only has one year remaining on his contract. In fact, largely untested 2014 fourth-round pick Jaylen Watkins is the only corner on the roster signed beyond next season.

Needless to say, the Eagles are going to have to throw some money at the position. They can’t depend on the draft alone, with all of its unproven athletes who may or may not be NFL ready, to restore stability to a pass defense that’s ranked 32nd and 31st in the league in consecutive years.

Fortunately, free agency should offer some solutions. At the very least, the Birds should be able to acquire some sort of stopgap or low-risk/high-reward alternatives, if not the opportunity to land a bona fide shutdown corner. It all depends on what qualities the organization is looking for—and how much they’re willing to spend.

Based on the acquisitions the club has made at cornerback since Chip Kelly’s arrival, we know the head coach has a strong preference for taller—ideally 6’0” and up—“longer” players on the perimeters. What the team is willing to invest, however, no doubt depends on a variety of factors. We examine what could influence those decisions here as we look at the Eagles’ top-five targets currently slated to reach the open market.

Byron Maxwell

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The name garnering the most attention around Philadelphia right now is probably Byron Maxwell, starting cornerback opposite All-Pro Richard Sherman for the Seattle Seahawks.

Maxwell has a world-championship pedigree, only turns 27 in February, possesses tremendous size (6’1”, 207 lbs) and is versatile enough to line up outside the numbers or in the slot.

During the past two seasons, Maxwell has appeared in 29 games for the Seahawks with 17 starts, racking up six interceptions, 24 pass breakups and two forced fumbles. The 2011 sixth-round pick out of Clemson also has a pick, three breakups and a fumble forced in five postseason games between this year and last.

With the Seahawks already having so much invested in Sherman, it seems unlikely they would match whatever contract Maxwell could potentially receive on the market.

That being said, the Eagles aren't a shoe-in to acquire the rising star’s services, as there will no doubt be plenty of competition. That could drive the bidding into a range that makes teams uncomfortable—say upward of $10 million per season over five years, with guarantees in excess of $20 million.

Despite the potential drawbacks of such a huge deal, the Eagles have a favorable cap situation and should be among the front-runners for Maxwell if he does become a free agent.

The question is whether the organization is willing to pay such outlandish sums in free agency, something we haven’t really seen yet during the Kelly era.

Chris Culliver

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While we’re talking about young, up-and-coming players, Chris Culliver is a cornerback who has been flying under the radar around Philly, at least in comparison to Maxwell. 

The two are not so different, though.

Culliver comes from a winning institution in the San Francisco 49ers, will only turn 27 this year, and possesses the type of build the Eagles are looking for at 6’0”, 199 pounds.

A 2011 third-round pick out of South Carolina, he appeared in 30 games in 2012 and ’14, starting 20. He recorded six interceptions, 28 pass breakups and two forced fumbles in those two seasons. 2013 was lost to a torn ACL, but he clearly rebounded nicely from the injury, limiting opposing quarterbacks to a 66.5 passer rating in 2014, according to Pro Football Focus—sixth-best in the NFL.

The main problem is, unlike Maxwell in Seattle, the 49ers will probably make a strong bid to keep Culliver aboard. That means he might never make it to free agency.

If he does, the Eagles will almost certainly be interested.

Again, there is likely to be plenty of competition for Culliver’s services, and he could command a contract similar to what Maxwell is expected to receive. These are the types of players who—based on their bodies of work, at least—could be the No. 1 cornerback in Philly’s secondary for years to come, though.

If both make it to free agency, the Birds better open the checkbook for one of them.

Perrish Cox

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The consolation prize in the Culliver sweepstakes could be teammate Perrish Cox. The 49ers may only be able to afford one, not to mention the developing talent climbing the team's depth chart.

Cox is not nearly as appealing as Culliver, though.

A 2010 fifth-round pick of the Denver Broncos, Cox had been bouncing around the league for years before finally winding up as a starter in San Francisco this season. In 15 games, he racked up five interceptions and 17 pass breakups while holding opposing quarterbacks to a 78.0 passer rating in 2014, according to Pro Football Focus—good for 19th among 73 qualifying corners.

At 6’0”, 190 pounds, Cox appears to fit Kelly’s mold for an outside corner. However, at 28 years old, the organization likely won’t be as willing to offer a long-term contract. Plus, with such a narrow body of work—just nine career starts prior to this season, all back in 2010—you have to wonder how good the guy really is.

Cox seems to be in more of the stopgap mold for the Birds. If the team decided to part ways with Williams, Cox might be a younger, cheaper alternative who can do just as good a job or better.

In terms of a permanent solution, though, the Eagles have to hope they can do better.

Davon House

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If the Eagles aren’t able to reel in Maxwell or Culliver, and they’re not interested in Cox, the pool of available talent from which to choose begins to dry up. Rather than sign some aging veteran to an expensive, long-term deal, it may behoove the club to search for some bargain players who have the potential to develop into quality starters.

One such player Kelly might find appealing is Davon House from the Green Bay Packers.

A 2011 fourth-round pick out of New Mexico State, House appeared in 38 games and started in 14 between 2012-14, accumulating two interceptions, 25 pass breakups, two sacks and a forced fumble along the way. According to Pro Football Focus, House held opposing quarterbacks to a 76.6 passer rating this season in a limited role.

House is 6’0”, 195 pounds, turns 26 this year and has experience playing both outside and in the slot. Coming from a steady organization in Green Bay won’t hurt his cause, either.

That being said, House clearly doesn't have the kind of extensive experience you would like in a cornerback you are considering for a starting job.

To be fair, he’s been buried behind the likes of Sam Shields and Tramon Williams on the depth chart—two very good corners—but what kind of offer do you make a corner who’s never been a full-time player?

For that reason, House can’t be the Eagles' first option—they need people who can step in and play right away. However, if the top targets slip away, this might not be a complete Hail Mary. Even if they don’t, House could provide excellent depth while attempting to work his way into a starting job.

Darrelle Revis

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Of course, the Eagles could always break the bank and chase Darrelle Revis, one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL. No doubt, the six-time Pro Bowler will be on just about every casual fan's wish list this offseason.

No doubt, Revis would be a huge upgrade in any secondary, let alone Philadelphia’s awful defensive backfield. He’s a guy you plug into the lineup and don’t worry about the results—he’ll produce, just as he has for the New England Patriots all season.

Still, it’s hard to imagine the Birds making a serious play for Revis, even though cornerback is such a huge need and Revis is clearly the best option available—provided he doesn't remain in New England.

The fact is he’ll turn 30 before the 2015 season begins, and he’ll command ridiculous money. Revis’ contract this year alone paid $12 million, according to Spotrac.

It’s not that the Eagles can’t afford it or wouldn’t be improved by the move. However, Revis is the type of aging talent a team should only look to sign when they’re one or two players away, which right now, it’s difficult to argue Philly is in that position.

You don’t want to lock him into a long-term deal, and by the time the team is built into a legitimate Super Bowl contender, his play is slipping and he’s vastly overpaid for his ability.

If the Eagles do more than just kick the tires on Revis this offseason, it might indicate Kelly thinks his team could be on the verge. Otherwise, as good as Revis is, it might be best to avoid him and find younger pieces to build around—guys who will be peaking when the rest of the roster is as well.