Philadelphia Eagles: Nickell Robey-Coleman can save the secondary

Bringing Nickell Robey-Coleman into the fold has the potential to pay huge dividends for the Philadelphia Eagles cornerback room.

The Philadelphia Eagles had a pleasantly successful off-season in terms of free agent and trade additions. Adding the likes of Darius Slay and Javon Hargrave boosts the entire defensive unit into one of the best in the league on paper. But that wasn’t the only high caliber of player the team added to the group during free agency.

Nickell Robey-Coleman also opted to take his talents to Philadelphia for the 2020 season. The slot cornerback agreed to terms on a one-year deal that guarantees him just $1 million with the Eagles with incentives up to $1.3 million. A bargain of a contract with the potential to give the team their best slot cornerback since Patrick Robinson departed in free agency to the New Orleans Saints after Philadelphia won Super Bowl 52.

Robinson was incredibly vital to the Eagles secondary during their 13-3 campaign in 2017, which led to a Lombardi trophy. Inconsistent outside cornerback play from Jalen Mills and losing Ronald Darby for an extended period after the first game of the season due to injury, forced Robinson to step up in a significant way. The cornerback did just that for Philadelphia, and Robey-Coleman can bring the same caliber of production for the 2020 season.

More from Section 215

As noted earlier, Robinson was dominant for the Eagles playing the slot position. Without hesitation, he was their best cornerback from an overall production standpoint in 2017. Robinson allowed 45 receptions on 81 targets on 525 coverage snaps for 582 receiving yards, 12.9 yards per catch, three touchdowns, and four interceptions. Robey-Coleman, the last two seasons combined, has allowed 78 receptions on 123 targets on 928 coverage snaps for 665 receiving yards, 8.5 yards per catch, five touchdowns, and one interception, all these statistics according to Pro Football Focus.

The statistics prove Robey-Coleman can play the slot position at a high level, especially in replicating the success Robinson brought to the Eagles. Slay is also coming off an injury-hampered season last year in Detroit with a hamstring issue that lingered from week three throughout the entire season. If Slay’s hamstring issues were to resurface in Philadelphia, the Eagles would need Robey-Coleman to step up similar to the way Robinson did in 2017 post-Darby injury, and he’s more than capable of doing just that.

Another added luxury for the Eagles with bringing Robey-Coleman into the fold is his experience playing under Jim Schwartz. Schwartz was the Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator in 2014, and Robey-Coleman was the team’s nickel that season. Unfortunately, Robey-Coleman suffered his sophomore slump that same season, posting his worst coverage performance of his entire seven-year career.

With COVID-19 bringing such an unorthodox offseason, already knowing the defensive system bodes exceptionally well for Robey-Coleman’s transition with the Eagles. The terminology of the defense, understanding what Schwartz expects from his nickel cornerback, and the caliber of player Robey-Coleman is, gives Philadelphia such an incredible asset from a free agent acquisition.

Many teams may not get the best play from their free-agent additions, given their uphill climb transitioning to their new teams. But Robey-Coleman won’t be facing that same battle with his new team in Philadelphia. The Eagles’ inability to replace the presence that was Robinson at nickel the last two seasons has finally come to an end.

Next. Grayland Arnold is going to be a star for the Eagles. dark

Yes, Philadelphia secured cornerback one this offseason in Slay. But the Eagles also found a top-five caliber slot cornerback in Robey-Coleman, which is the position that played a vital role in their championship season. Don’t overlook Robey-Coleman as one of the Eagles’ best new additions to the 2020 team.

Home/Philadelphia Eagles