James Bradberry is still an Eagle.
He’s just not a cornerback anymore.
Nick Sirianni said before minicamp practice on Tuesday that Bradberry – a 2NLteam All-Pro cornerback two years ago – now working at safety.
With the addition of 1st-round pick Quinyon Mitchell, 2NL-round pick Cooper DeJean and free agent Isaiah Rodgers, there was no spot in the corner for Bradberry opposite six-time Pro Bowler Darius Slay.
But the Eagles clearly don’t want to release Bradberry, who was statistically the worst corner in the NFL last year due to the cap hit. the Eagles released him and $10.813 million in 2015.
That could still happen, but by moving him to safety, the Eagles add depth at a position they are very light at and perhaps increase Bradberry’s potential trade value.
Chauncey Gardner-Johnson and Reed Blankenship are the starters at safety, but the only real depth the Eagles have at safety is another converted corner, Mekhi Garner, who has played 27 career defensive snaps, and 2NLyear-old pro Sydney Brown, who is still recovering from a torn cruciate ligament. Tristin McCollum and Andre’ Sam are also deep on the depth chart at safety.
So at worst, the Eagles postponed making a decision on the 30-year-old Bradberry in the long run. At best? Who knows, maybe they’ll add some much-needed safety depth.
Bradberry was on the practice field Tuesday at the start of the Eagles’ three-day mandatory minicamp at the NovaCare Complex.
“He played most of his career at corner and then was able to do some things for the dime (last year) and some things for the nickel, some things for the corner,” Sirianni said. “And now he’s working on some safety issues, which you’ll see during training.
“So I’m excited about that and his opportunity to (play it safe). You’ve seen a lot of good corners in this league (move to safety). I think the first guy that comes to mind is Charles Woodson, he went from an elite corner to an elite nickel to being an elite safety. And so I’m excited about that for James, that he can do more.
Woodson, a 1st-ballot Hall of Famer, made eight Pro Bowls and two 1stteam All-Pro teams as a corner with the Raiders and Packers before returning to safety in his 15e season with Green Bay. He played his last four seasons at safety. He had 54 interceptions and 11 pick-sixes as a corner. In 2012, at age 36, he switched to safety with the Packers before ending his career back in Oakland. He had 11 INTs in four years as a safety measure.
Bradberry has had some great seasons, but is clearly in a different league than Woodson. He made his only Pro Bowl in 2020 with the Giants and has 19 INTs in eight seasons, four in two years with the Eagles.
Sirianni said Bradberry responded positively when the move from corner to safety was suggested.
“James has always been a team man from the moment he walked in here and from what I understand everywhere else he has been as well because we obviously did our research before signing James in 2022,” Sirianni said.
“And he’s always been a great teammate. He will do anything for his teammates. He will do everything for the team.”
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