If veteran Bradley Roby can still run, he’ll upgrade an Eagles’ secondary woefully short on experienced defensive backs.
Just remember that Roby is 31 and basically unwanted until now. He had the test of his career in front of him Sunday when the Eagles opposed the Los Angeles Rams and veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford at SoFi Stadium.
Face it, Roby is just a Band-Aid. It’s going to take a trade to improve the back end of the defense, and the Eagles should inquire about younger players, not well-traveled veterans. They are lucky to have Darius Slay and James Bradberry, the latter of whom has been playing nickel. Josh Jobe has helped on the outside but do you really want to hang your hat on an undrafted free agent?
The Eagles badly need an impact guy to ease the pain over the loss of nickel Avonte Maddox, likely done for the season with a torn pectoral. There is plenty of time to act before the Oct. 31st trade deadline.
Topping the short list of potential gets are a couple of suggestions from longtime NFL draft prognosticator Billy Werndl. Big nickel Jeremy Chinn of the Panthers appears eminently gettable. Asante Samuel Jr. of the Chargers is a bit more of a playmaker but worth a hard look.
Chinn basically is a converted safety who is transitioning to big nickel. He has one foot out the door as his contract expires at the end of the season. The guy measured 6-3, 220 pounds, ran a 4.45 in the 40 at the combine and is physical.
In various circles there was outrage that the Eagles didn’t select Chinn before they chose Hurts at No. 53 in the 2020 draft. Chinn came off the board to the Panthers at No. 64, the last pick of the second round. Chinn also is on his third head coach with the Panthers. The Eagles would be a breath of fresh air.
Samuel Jr. (5-10, 180) was the 47th overall pick in the 2021 draft. His father Asante intercepted 23 passes for the Eagles from 2008-11, taking two of those picks to the house.
Samuel Jr. has five interceptions in three seasons spanning 33 games, with 30 starts for the Chargers. His contract runs through 2024.
Either of those guys would help. Both of them would seriously upgrade the back end and complement the line play that’s kept the opposition honest. The Eagles have plenty to offer including a combination of …
WR Quez Watkins >> Sure, he’s been injured. But he’s lightning fast, knows how to get open and we’ve almost forgotten that big drop in the Super Bowl. His lack of production is easily explained by the inability to get two 1,000-yard receivers the ball.
OL Jack Driscoll >> He’s shown he can play anywhere up front and has suited up for 41 games with 16 starts. This also is the last year of his contract.
DE Derek Barnett >> There’s always room for pass rushers, even a guy with more career penalties than sacks. Barnett is healthy and, per reports, requested a trade a few weeks ago.
RB Rashaad Penny >> He is healthy, has value and is waiting for a turn that may never come as the Eagles are enamored with D’Andrew Swift and Kenneth Gainwell, with Boston Scott the third down back.
TE Grant Calcaterra >> With great hands and good blocking angles, he’s quietly emerging as a tight end of the future for some team. It won’t be with the Eagles, barring an injury, or they wouldn’t have added Albert Okwuegbunam (6-5, 258) to the active roster. Every team can use a tight end who can catch.
Draft picks >> The Eagles have their own first and second round selections, the Saints’ second-rounder from the C.J. Gardner-Johnson trade, and probably a third-round compensatory pick. Including the other likely compensatory picks, the Eagles figure to have up to six selections on the third day of the draft, including four in the fifth round.
The Birds boldly upgraded the defensive line with veteran free agents Linval Joseph and Ndamukong Suh last year, and it helped them reach the Super Bowl. This fall they need defensive backs, and it’s going to take a trade or two to make it happen because the better ones rarely are on the streets.
Contact Bob Grotz at rgrotz@delcotimes.com
Source: Berkshire mont
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