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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 22: Byron Jones #31 of the Dallas Cowboys reacts during the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles in the game at Lincoln Financial Field on December 22, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 22: Byron Jones #31 of the Dallas Cowboys reacts during the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles in the game at Lincoln Financial Field on December 22, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Eagles Rumors: Byron Jones, Chris Harris Jr. Expected to Be Free-Agent Targets

Joseph ZuckerJan 22, 2020

Strengthening the secondary is apparently a priority for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Pro Football Network's Tony Pauline reported Tuesday the Eagles "will go hard after a cornerback in free agency" with Chris Harris Jr. and Byron Jones among the players on the team's radar.

The Eagles allowed 241.6 passing yards per game,Ā 19thĀ in the NFL, and finished 16th in pass defense DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average), perĀ Football Outsiders.

The front office is likely approaching the offseason with the idea of upgrading from Ronald Darby, who's an unrestricted free agent. Darby has made 28 appearances in three years with the team; aĀ hip injuryĀ limited him to 11 games in 2019.

Pro Football Focus'Ā Ben LinseyĀ listed secondary help as one of Philadelphia's biggest needs heading into the 2020 season:

"The cornerback position provided subpar play for much of the year. Rasul Douglas, Avonte Maddox, Ronald Darby and Jalen Mills all finished the season with PFF grades below 60.0, and Darby had one of the worst coverage lines of any cornerback in the league with 17 yards allowed per reception and a 117.9 passer rating into his coverage."

Over the CapĀ projects the Eagles to have $43.6 million in available salary-cap space, which would allow them to sign a top cornerback if that was their biggest expenditure.

Jones and Harris would be two obvious targets. PFF'sĀ Sam Monson and Steve PalazzoloĀ ranked them as the fourth- and fifth-best free agents, respectively. Jones finished with 46 combined tackles and six passes defended with the Dallas Cowboys this past year, while Harris posted 56 combined tackles, six passes defended and one interception for the Denver Broncos.

The Eagles could also look to the draft for a fresh face at cornerback, though they might end up targeting a wide receiverā€”their most glaring roster holeā€”in the first round. Bleacher Report'sĀ Matt MillerĀ projected Philadelphia to take Colorado wideout Laviska Shenault Jr. in his most recent mock draft.

NFL's Surprise Last Undefeated Team šŸ˜²