Eagles turning cornerback into a position of strength
A decimated Eagles secondary finally looks formidable with their recent acquisitions
Sunday morning the Eagles announced they’d acquired veteran cornerback Dexter McDougle from the New York Jets in return for young safety Terrence Brooks.
While Brooks was a promising young backup his role on the Eagles was undefined with Rodney McLeod and Malcolm Jenkins solidified as the starters in 2017 and beyond.
McDougle joins a young crop of cornerbacks acquired by Philadelphia consisting of Ronald Darby and third round pick Rasul Douglas. Veteran nickel-back Ron Brooks and second-year back from LSU Jalen Mills return with free agent Patrick Robinson to formulate a cornerback group ready to compete in Philly.
More from NFL Hot Takes
- 4 promising first-round receivers to watch in NFL preseason Week 3
- Should Trey Lance be considered an NFL draft bust?
- Jonathan Taylor trade rumors: 3 most alluring fits for Colts star running back
- Falcons rookie Bijan Robinson might be the RB1 in Fantasy Football
- The rise of C.J. Stroud; No. 2 overall pick ready to lead Texans?
A third round pick in 2014 out of Maryland McDougle’s career has been ravaged by injuries early on. Appearing in only six games last year, McDougle has never made an NFL start in his first two years of play. He’ll be a restricted free agent this offseason, which benefits Philadelphia greatly if they want to move on after a year or retain the 26-year-old.
It’s far from a collection of Pro Bowl starters, but a position of weakness just a few weeks ago in Philadelphia now looks somewhat confident going into the final week of the preseason.
Darby and McDougle could potentially start week one against Washington with Mills playing the slot, a position many predict he’ll latch onto long term. McDougle’s arrival could ultimately mean the end for Robinson, who’s struggled all of training camp.
Next: Falcons feeling a Super Bowl hangover?
It’s all a collection of confident moves made by front office executive Howie Roseman to continue building towards the future while maintaining the club’s ability to contend for the NFC East in 2017.