NFL Free Agency: Eagles can’t miss on Tramaine Brock
The mass of NFL free agency has come and gone, but a starting cornerback is now readily available on the market
Domestic violence allegations against cornerback Tramaine Brock have been cleared in Santa Clara, California, making Brock the biggest corner available in NFL free agency.
Assuming everything off the field clears on the former 49ers starter, multiple teams will be making calls to Brock’s agent. The first person on the phone should be Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman.
Philadelphia has been plagued by horrific cornerback play since the departure of Asante Samuel, and they’ve swung and missed in the draft and free agency. Nnamdi Asamough, Byron Maxwell, Eric Rowe, and Jordan Poyer are the poster children for that in Philly.
A new name likely to join that list is veteran Patrick Robinson, who the Eagles signed to a one-year deal worth less than a million dollars. Robinson has been atrocious in training camp against Alshon Jeffrey, Torrey Smith, and Nelson Agholor, and may not make the team going into week one.
More from NFL Free Agency
- Ideal landing spots for Dalvin Cook, Ezekiel Elliott and other free agent running backs
- AFC East Buzz: Ezekiel Elliot visits Patriots; Dalvin Cook-Jets rumors heat up
- NFL Free Agency: 5 most intriguing landing spots for Dalvin Cook
- AFC South Buzz: Titans nab DeAndre Hopkins; Engram gets paid
- 5 Teams That Should Sign Free Agent WR DeAndre Hopkins
Outside of Robinson Philadelphia has rookie Rasul Douglas, second-year slot corner Jalen Mills, and veteran Ron Brooks coming off a torn quad. Second-round pick Sidney Jones is likely to miss the entire season after tearing his achillies during the Huskies pro day.
The team added veteran Corey Graham and has openly discussed playing three safeties with Malcolm Jenkins playing slot corner. Both head coach Doug Pederson and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz have publicly expressed their desire to add more cornerbacks.
Roseman, as will other front office personnel across the league, will assess whether Brock will be subject to a suspension from the league despite his domestic violence case never going to trial. The NFL has cracked down on domestic violence, handing players automatic six game suspensions.
If the league’s investigation can’t pin Brock on the domestic violence charge, they may pursue a suspension relating to the personal conduct policy.
The felony DV case against former 49ers CB Tramaine Brock has been dismissed, Santa Clara DA spokesman says. Brock is currently a free agent
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 9, 2017
Brock has made all but one start in the last two seasons totaling four interceptions and 25 pass deflections.
Philadelphia has seemingly gone all in on free agency with the additions of Jeffrey, Smith, Chance Warmack, Chris Long, and LeGarrette Blount. In a competitive NFC East Philadelphia has a chance behind second-year starter Carson Wentz, who’s received raved reviews heading into the first preseason game against Green Bay.
Schwartz is betting on a monstrous season from his defensive line, flashing Fletcher Cox, Timmy Jernigan, Long, Vinny Curry, and first-round pick Derek Barnett. The plan will be to create enough pressure on opposing quarterbacks to take pressure off the inexperienced cornerbacks down the field.
If everything off the field clears, it’s imperative for Philadelphia to add Brock to their young secondary. Starting caliber cornerbacks rarely become available on the market, and Brock’s availability saves the Eagles a draft pick or a young player on the trade market.