Eagles sign wideout, defensive back
Wide receiver Seyi Ajirotutu, defensive back E.J. Biggers ink 1-year deals.
THE EAGLES added a couple of guys yesterday who should compete for roster spots at positions of need this season in wideout Seyi Ajirotutu and defensive back E.J. Biggers.
They both signed 1-year contracts.
Ajirotutu, who turns 28 in June, was the Chargers' special-teams player of the year last season, having led the team in special-teams tackles in 2013 and 2014. Ajirotutu made the Chargers in 2010 as an undrafted rookie from Fresno State, was picked up on waivers by Carolina in 2011, and returned to San Diego in 2012. He is 6-3, 215, and has caught 24 career passes for 420 yards and three touchdowns, in 57 games.
Biggers is more familiar to Eagles fans, who have seen him ineffectively chasing after Eagles receivers for Washington, as both a safety and a cornerback over the past two seasons. Biggers, 6-0, 185, also turns 28 in June. He was drafted in the seventh round by the Bucs in 2009. Last season with the Redskins, he played in 15 games, with two starts.
The Birds like versatility, but Biggers' best chance to make the team would seem to be at safety, where the Eagles have not been able to sign a replacement for Nate Allen, allowed to leave in free agency to the Raiders. Chip Kelly was believed to be very interested in Patriots safety Devin McCourty, but McCourty ended up signing back in New England before the market opened.
The Eagles are expected to come up with a safety at some point in the NFL draft, which starts April 30, but this is not considered a strong crop of safeties, and the only surefire first-rounder, Alabama's Landon Collins, might not be versatile and athletic enough for the Birds' scheme.