How the Eagles turned one of their biggest weaknesses into a strength
7 August 2018 Eagles News
For the past couple of seasons, the Eagles always had a secondary that struggled heavily. Out of all the work general manager Howie Roseman has done the past two seasons, his best bit of work might just have been on the secondary.
Just two years ago, PFF ranked the Eagles secondary as the worst in the league. Then rookie, Jalen Mills struggled, Leodis McKelvin was not good and Ron Brooks was okay in the slot. It wasn’t pretty and just two years later, Mills has flourished into a very good cornerback and he’s only getting better. Adding to Mills is Ronald Darby and Sidney Jones completing a trio of names much better than the three above.
Mills was a seventh round pick, Jones was a second round pick and the Eagles acquirred Darby via trade with the Buffalo Bills. For the most part, the Eagles choose to pick and develop their own talent where as in years past, the Eagles signed cornerbacks to big money deals. They learned from their mistakes and did it the right way.
All young and hungry, Mills, Darby and Jones might just be the best trio in the league. So far this training camp, Mills and Darby have been lights out. Mills has really progressed over the years and he looks to be the Eagles number one guy going forward.
Darby is healthy and is in the midst of his first full offseason with the team. Having played a major role in the playoff run and Super Bowl, he’s only going to get better because health was a bit of an issue last season.
However, more exciting than those three is last seasons second round pick Jones. He was the number one cornerback prospect is last seasons draft and although he’s in a battle for the starting slot job, he is the favorite to land that spot. He can play on the outside as well, however, his skill set suits the slot very well.
Turning the secondary into what it has become today has been a great feet by Roseman and the front office. These three players are legit and are only getting better. Watch out NFL because one of the Eagles biggest weaknesses has become a strength.
Ryan Neal Jalen Mills, Philadelphia Eagles, Ronald Darby, Sidney Jones