Eagles have two holes to fill at cornerback

In Chip Kelly's first foray into free agency in 2013, he sought two starting cornerbacks. The Eagles signed Cary Williams and Bradley Fletcher. After releasing Williams last week and with Fletcher's contract expiring, the Eagles are again overhauling the position.

They could find at least one - and maybe both - on the free-agent market this week. Free agents can sign with new teams starting on Tuesday, and their agents were allowed to begin talking to teams on Saturday. The Eagles will be armed with around $49.5 million in salary-cap space once the LeSean McCoy trade goes through.

"You know they're going to throw some money at the cornerback position in particular," said ESPN analyst Louis Riddick, a former Eagles executive.

The Eagles have three cornerbacks under contract next season: Brandon Boykin, Nolan Carroll, and Jaylen Watkins. The coaching staff has been reluctant to use Boykin on the outside, keeping him almost entirely in the slot because of his size. Carroll was the team's dime cornerback and top backup on the outside. Watkins, a fourth-round pick, did not play a defensive snap until Week 17.

The Eagles are particular about what they seek in an outside cornerback - an emphasis on height, long arms, and the ability to tackle and play man-to-man press coverage.

The top target is expected to be Seattle's Byron Maxwell, but the Eagles will also need another option in case Maxwell goes elsewhere.

The market became thinner on Saturday, when the Houston Texans reached a four-year deal with Kareem Jackson, according to multiple reports. The deal was reportedly for four years at $34 million, with $20 million guaranteed. That shows how coveted cornerbacks are on in free agency. Jackson is a former first-round pick in Houston who struggled early in his career, although he's coming off a productive season.

Pro Bowler Antonio Cromartie is on the market after proving himself with the Cardinals, and he fits the Eagles' height, weight, and speed standards. But he's not known for his tackling, and he'll turn 31 next month.

One player to watch is Green Bay's Davon House, 25, who started 14 games for the Packers the last three seasons. A fourth-round draft choice in 2011, House is 6-feet and 195 pounds and mostly has been used in sub packages. He will want a bigger role, and his ability warrants it. The Packers might try to keep House instead of 31-year-old starter Tramon Williams, also a free agent.

San Francisco's Chris Culliver, 26, is a Philadelphia native who is 6-feet and 199 pounds and fits what the Eagles' mold. After missing all of 2013 with an injury, Culliver became a productive starter last season. He finished with four interceptions in 14 starts, and Pro Football Focus ranked Culliver the 13th best cornerback in pass coverage.

But the Eagles would need to be satisfied with Culliver's character to invest in him. He was arrested last March and charged with felony possession of brass knuckles and two misdemeanors in a collision with a bicyclist, and there will be a hearing on the charges this spring, according to the San Jose Mercury News.

Other potential options include the Giants' Walter Thurmond, who played for Kelly at Oregon but is coming off an injury; San Diego's Brandon Flowers, who lacks the size the Eagles desire; and the 49ers' Perrish Cox, who was a journeyman until finding a role last season.

If the Eagles spend what might be needed to sign Maxwell, then the second cornerback might not be a penciled-in starter. Instead, the Eagles could allow Carroll to compete - or maybe even give Boykin a chance to play on the outside.

The draft also could offer a starting cornerback, but the Eagles do not know who will fall to them at No. 20 or whether they will pick there in the event they trade up.

But relying on free agency can be a tricky proposition. The Eagles have not drafted a cornerback in the first three rounds since Curtis Marsh in 2011 and have not selected a first-round cornerback since 2002. They have mostly turned to free agency and trades, like they did with Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in 2011 and then with Williams and Fletcher.

That left the Eagles in the spot they're in this week, again needing to find two starters. They should hope it goes better than last time.

Note. The Eagles tendered restricted free agent Cedric Thornton at the second-round level, which pays $2.356 million. Thornton is expected to sign the tender, barring an unforeseen offer.

On the roster

Player   Height   Weight   Age

Brandon Boykin   5-10   185   24

Nolan Carroll   6-1   205   28

Jaylen Watkins   5-11   194   23

Eagles' free agents

Bradley Fletcher   6-0   200   28

Top free agents

Byron Maxwell, Seattle   6-1   207   27

Antonio Cromartie, Arizona   6-2   210   30

Brandon Flowers, San Diego   5-9   187   29

Davon House, Green Bay   6-0   195   25

Chris Culliver, San Francisco   6-0   199   26

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In order of the team's priorities

Cornerback: The Eagles don't have either of last season's starters under contract - and they already needed an upgrade. They could sign two cornerbacks this week.

Outside linebacker: The Eagles need a starting right outside linebacker after releasing Trent Cole and allowing Brandon Graham to hit the open market. Marcus Smith's lack of development hasn't helped.

Safety: One year after signing Malcolm Jenkins on the first day of free agency, the Eagles now seek someone to play next to him.

Wide receiver: This becomes even more important if the Eagles cannot reach a deal with Jeremy Maclin.

Offensive line: After releasing Todd Herremans, the Eagles have an opening at right guard. There are internal options but some intriguing players are available.

Running back: The LeSean McCoy deal leaves a big void to fill, but the Eagles can wait until the draft.

- Zach Berman
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@ZBerm