Philadelphia Eagles: 6 Best Options to Replace Cary Williams This Offseason

The Philadelphia Eagles probably shouldn't have opened the 2013 season with Cary Williams and Bradley Fletcher as their starting cornerbacks. They definitely shouldn't have in 2014. And they absolutely cannot in 2015.

This time, there is reason to believe the Eagles will make a change after allowing the most passing yards in the National Football League over the past two seasons. Williams, who turned 30 in December, is scheduled to earn more than $8 million in 2015, while Fletcher is a free agent.

In 2014, Williams allowed 757 passing yards and five touchdowns with a slew of untimely penalties. Fletcher fared even worse, leading the league with 1,072 yards allowed, plus nine touchdown passes. 

The secondary is perhaps the biggest reason why the Eagles collapsed and missed the playoffs in December. With over $22 million in available cap space, according to Spotrac, the Eagles can choose to replace one or both cornerbacks through the draft or in free agency. The following slides will highlight six different replacement options at cornerback. 

Trae Waynes

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The best cornerback prospect available in the draft, Michigan State's Trae Waynes almost guaranteed that he will be drafted higher than the 20th pick in the first round with a terrific showing at the combine. Waynes recorded a 4.32 in the 40-yard dash, the fastest by any defensive back this season. 

Waynes also collected three interceptions and eight passes defensed for the Spartans last season. NFL draft expert Mike Mayock even speculated that Waynes could be drafted as high as sixth overall by the New York Jets. 

For the Eagles to draft Waynes, they'll likely need to give up at least a mid-round pick to move up in the draft but if they deem the physical, long corner is their future at the position, that's exactly what could end up happening. 

Marcus Peters

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If Chip Kelly cut DeSean Jackson, his best wide receiver, in his prime for off-the-field issues, is there any chance he would draft a player like Marcus Peters, who has had more than his fair share of off-the-field issues during his college career at the University of Washington?

Peters was suspended for a game and later kicked off his team during the 2014 season after numerous clashes with the coaching staff. That's definitely a red flag, especially when Jackson also had some issues with the coaching staff in Philly. 

On the field, however, Peters is probably the second-best cornerback prospect behind Waynes. He's a physical playmaker who could start as a rookie. It's just a matter of whether he'll still be on the board with the 20th pick and if he matches what Kelly wants to do for his team. 

Jalen Collins

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Likely a first-round pick, Jalen Collins seems to fit the stereotype of a Chip Kelly cornerback. He's got good size, great speed and is one of the more physical players coming out of college. 

He's a bit of a developmental player, as he's started just 10 games in three seasons at LSU. But he fits the Eagles defense to a T, per NFL draft expert Mike Mayock. He's below Waynes and Peters on most draft boards, but Waynes won't be on the board for the Eagles at 20 and Peters has some character concerns that could take him off the board for the Eagles. 

If the Eagles drafted Collins, they could either start him right away and deal with the likely growing pains, or they could keep him on the bench for his first year as the fourth corner, behind Brandon Boykin. 

Byron Maxwell, Seattle Seahawks

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The prized free-agent this offseason is Seattle's Byron Maxwell, and the Eagles are reportedly the front-runners to sign him, per NFL insider Tony Pauline. That's pretty exciting news if you're an Eagles fan, although it's also worth noting that the Eagles haven't exactly had the best luck when it comes to signing the top free-agent corner in recent years (Nnamdi Asomugha in 2011, plus Cary Williams in 2013). 

But if the Eagles want to establish themselves as an organization willing to do whatever it takes to fix a weakness and compete for a Super Bowl title, they'll make a move to go sign Maxwell. 

Maxwell, who turned 27 Monday, just completed his first full season as a starter, where the fourth member of Seattle's Legion of Boom allowed just a single touchdown pass and an 81.1 passer rating, per Pro Football Focus. He's never had to cover the No. 1 receiver and he's definitely benefited from playing with a trio of All-Pros in the secondary (Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor) but when you're used to Williams and Fletcher, the idea of Maxwell seems pretty appealing. 

Antonio Cromartie

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Known as one of the best playmaking cornerbacks in the National Football League since he was drafted in 2006, Antonio Cromartie has collected 31 interceptions in nine seasons. He's been selected to three straight Pro Bowl squads, the first two with the New York Jets and the last one with the Arizona Cardinals. 

Cromartie has missed just one game in his career, and although he does turn 31 this offseason, he still likely has a couple of years of productive play before he's ready to hang up his cleats. He'd definitely be a worthy replacement for Williams and he wouldn't be too expensive either. 

Perrish Cox

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Byron Maxwell is considered the clear-cut best free-agent cornerback this offseason, but it's San Francisco's Perrish Cox who posted the best individual numbers during the 2014 season. 

In his first season as a starter, Cox led all cornerbacks with five interceptions. He allowed just a 78.0 passer rating, while recording 54 tackles against just four missed tackles, per Pro Football Focus. 

Cox has flown under the radar since the start of free agency. Although he just turned 28, he's only been a starter for one year in his career. He has a much higher ceiling and would be Philly's best starting cornerback since Asante Samuel.