Free-agent CB Byron Jones will be one of the most sought after players when free agency begins. The Eagles are expected to be at the front of the line for his services, per Eagles Insider Adam Caplan of “Inside The Birds.” According to Caplan, Jones could command a price tag upwards of $17M a year. The Eagles have roughly $40M to spend in cap space this offseason after releasing veteran LB Nigel Bradham. Jones has spent the last 5 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys.

Personally, I was a big fan of Byron Jones coming out of Connecticut in 2015. He would be a welcome addition to a vulnerable Eagles secondary that hasn’t had a true lockdown CB since Asante Samuel was here. Having the versatility to play both safety and cornerback, Jones allowed just 5 yards per target while shadowing the league’s top receivers in 2019. The team’s track record of acquiring former Cowboys (DeMarco Murray, Miles Austin, Orlando Scandrick) is well documented, however, and I’m not sure how beneficial it would be to go down that path again. It’s tough to gauge how effective a corner can truly be in Jim Schwartz’ scheme, hence why I wasn’t sold on potentially trading the farm for Jalen Ramsey last season. The dark days of Nnamdi Asomugha & Byron Maxwell will always be prominent in our minds, but the 27-year-old Pro Bowler may be worth the risk. 

FA CB Byron Jones held receivers to 5 yards per target last season.

Can put him across any team’s WR1. pic.twitter.com/2VioWj44Gi

— Victor Williams (@ThePhillyPod) February 29, 2020