Darius Slay recruits top free-agent CB to sign with Eagles, interest appears to be mutual

With training camp just three weeks away, the Eagles still need to figure out what they’re going to do at the CB2 position. While the team did draft CB Zech McPhearson in the 4th round of this year’s draft and traded for undersized Josiah Scott, they still lack a true outside corner other than Darius Slay.

Avonte Maddox has experience at the position but he hasn’t proven to be the solution either, struggling in his first true season on the outside in 2020.

Former Steeler’s CB Steven Nelson is the best corner remaining on the market by a wide margin and has received interest from several teams as he continues to wait for the right opportunity. Slay took to Twitter this afternoon to continue his efforts in persuading the free-agent corner to sign with Philadelphia:

It could all be so simple my man #Nelsonisland

— Steve Nelson (@Nelson_Island) July 6, 2021

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Steven Nelson’s two-year stint with Pittsburgh was a productive one, having 95 tackles, 17 passes defended, and 3 interceptions over that span. Nelson excels in man coverage as he was one of the top-graded corners in that metric in 2019, allowing just 12 passes to be completed when asked to man up.

It was reported that the Eagles are among several teams hesitant in signing the corner because they aren’t willing to pay him over $3 million on a one-year deal, per Adam Caplan. The interest appears to be mutual but Nelson, however, feels as though he’s a top corner in the NFL and should be paid as such.

New Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon also stated that he’s comfortable with the current CB group, so we’ll have to see if they make a move or leave it up to Gannon to develop his young talent.

Steven Nelson is the most undervalued CB in the NFL. pic.twitter.com/Lq00rvLueb

— PFF (@PFF) July 24, 2020

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Mandatory Credit: Mitchell Leff | Getty Images