The Eagles might have made one of their biggest weaknesses into one of their biggest strengths with just one signing.
After months of wondering who would start opposite Darius Slay this season at cornerback, the Eagles answered that question on Sunday, signing Steven Nelson to a one-year deal.
Nelson, who was a top-10 cornerback in 2019 before having a down 2020 season, fills the Eagles' need opposite Slay in a big way. If Nelson can play at the same level he did in 2019, and Slay plays up to the top-10 cornerback he was voted recently, the Eagles' starting duo could end up being a strength.
They could also be one of the best duos in the NFL.
It might sound like a stretch, but a look around the league shows it might not be. Quality cornerback play is hard to find in the NFL (as the Eagles have learned the last few seasons) and not many teams have two cornerbacks with the ceiling that Slay and Nelson have.
Based off of Pro Football Focus' coverage grades in 2020, only 11 teams project to have two starting cornerbacks this season that each had a coverage grade over 60 last year. The Eagles are now one of them after signing Nelson.
Combined, Nelson (63.1) and Slay (68.6) had a coverage grade of 131.7. That ranks 13th in the NFL when you combine the 2020 coverage scores of both projected cornerbacks.
Here is how the duo stack up among the projected starters in NFC East:
Washington: Williams Jackson (72.4), Kendall Fuller (65.4): 137.8 total
Giants: James Bradberry (79.9), Adoree Jackson (66.4): 146.3 total
Eagles: Darius Slay (63.1), Steven Nelson (68.6): 131.7 total
Dallas: Trevon Diggs (63.9) Kelvin Joseph (rookie)
Bradberry is arguably the best cornerback in the division, and clearly was based off last season's coverage scores. Now that the team has added Nelson, however, it is at least a debate on which cornerback duo (outside of Dallas) is the best in the division. That certainly wasn't the case before Sunday.
Overall, the duo of Slay and Nelson are probably right around a top 10 duo.
The Rams, Dolphins, Ravens, and Bills are ahead of them, with the Patriots in that discussion as well. That's five. The Eagles find themselves in the discussion among the next group, with Slay's ability as a shutdown cornerback, and Nelson playing like one in 2019, giving them an edge over some other groups who don't have that ceiling. The Steelers, Buccaneers, Chiefs and Packers are in the same group as the Eagles. That's four more teams, putting the total at nine.
Among the teams starting rookies, the Broncos and Panthers are likely the only ones who could argue they are better than the Eagles. The Broncos are pairing Kyle Fuller with Patrick Surtain, which could be a great duo. Panthers' Donte Jackson is now paired with Jaycee Horn. It is possible those two finish ahead of Slay and Nelson as well.
Overall, however, one thing is clear.
Whether they fall inside the top five or just outside the top 10, the debate is now longer how much the team's secondary will hurt them — it is whether it is one of the best in the league.
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
