Training Camp Preview: Cornerback

Training Camp kicks off Friday in one of the most exciting training camps in Eagles history and a position that is extremely interesting to watch after an off season overhaul, and is now at the heat of a battle for the starting spots is the corner back position. Nnamdi Asomugha and DRC were disasters in Philadelphia last year and the year before so the Eagles moved on picking up some new pieces at the position including playoff hero from the Ravens Carry Williams, Former Rams hard hitting corner Bradley Fletcher, drafting in the 7th round aggressive corner Jordan Poyer out of Oregon state who are all going to be competing for the starting two spots and I forgot to mention, second year player Brandon Boykin who had a up and down rookie year as the starting slot corner last season. With the spots up for grabs expect veterans Carry Williams and Bradley Fletcher to win the jobs. Yes those are the obvious choices but look at what both bring to the table that fits Chip Kelly's system. They both are very good press coverage corners which is Fletcher's strong point on why they brought him in. Carry Williams came in to start for Baltimore last year and was stellar. He had 4 interceptions last year including one for a touchdown and had 75 tackles. Both Williams and Fletcher are great tacklers which was the worst spot of the secondary last year as the Eagles had the most broken tackles in the league. What I like about Williams is he brings a gritty attitude to the team that really needs it. Just look at week 2 last year Ravens vs Eagles when Desean Jackson and Williams got into a scuffle, I really like that about Williams. Bradley Fletcher is an interesting player, he was lost in the depth chart last year in St. Louis after Janoris Jenkins and Cortland Finnegan emerged as one of the best pairings in the NFL. Fletcher is a big physical player that can also play in the slot and all over the field which Chip Kelly loves in his players. Brandon Boykin is coming off a rocky rookie year so he is for sure not the bone a fied starter at slot and for good reason. Yes when he faced players like Jacoby Jones he was solid but look what happened in week 3 against the Cardinals when they lined up Fitzgerald to Boykin, he got absolutely destroyed. I expect Jordan Poyer to come in and light it up in training camp and just maybe take the slot spot away from Boykin. Many Eagles analyst are saying that Boykin will compete for the starting jobs and yes I can agree as is everyone at the position. If he can stay as a consistent tackler then he should have the slot job locked up, but he needs to stay ahead of Poyer. Curtis Marsh is in another year of developing and he could become a solid player but I just see better options at CB. He will make a good backup and I fully expect him to mold into a CB that can start in a few years but he is still a bit raw in my eyes. Just think he was a Running back at Utah state only 4 years ago (He was a 3rd round pick in 2011). A guy I really like is Brandon Hughes who is coming into his fourth year as a Eagle but didn't see the field much until last year. He really impressed me in week 4 Sunday Night against the New York Giants when he came in for Nnamdi Asomugha after an injury, and he totally shut down Hakeem Knicks. He is a very physical corner that won't get you many turnovers but doesn't let the WR off easily. I think he is going to fit well in the new system and will provide a solid backup to Fletcher who he resembles a lot in my opinion. Then I think there is maybe one more spot for Trevard Lindley if he can beat out Hughes but I think Lindley just doesn't fit as I see him more as a off coverage corner.

Predicted Depth Chart
1. Carry Williams
2. Bradley Fletcher
3. Brandon Boykin
4. Jordan Poyer
5. Curtis Marsh
6. Brandon Hughes