The Philadelphia Eagles have already added a major piece to their defense, swinging a deal for Tennessee Titans safety Kevin Byard earlier in the week. Could the Eagles make another addition?
Gilbert Manzano of Sports Illustrated thinks it would be appropriate.
Manzano suggests that Philadelphia pursues Carolina Panthers cornerback Donte Jackson in order to shore up its depth in the secondary.
The Panthers are 0-6 and are clearly in rebuilding mode, so with the 28-year-old Jackson set to be a free agent this offseason, he seems to be a prime trade candidate.
Jackson has recovered nicely from the torn Achilles he suffered last year, and while he is hardly a star, he would certainly improve a Philly defensive backfield that could use another piece.
The Eagles lost versatile cornerback Avonte Maddox to a torn pectoral muscle earlier in the season and have yet to really replace him, so Jackson could fill that need.
Jackson, who played his collegiate football at LSU, was originally selected by Carolina in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
His rookie campaign was probably his best season, as he started all 16 games and registered 74 tackles, a sack, four interceptions, nine passes defended and a forced fumble.
While Jackson hasn’t exactly matched that production since then, he has remained a rather steady contributor in the Panthers’ secondary.
It should be noted that Jackson has not played a full season since his rookie year, but again, the Eagles wouldn’t be asking him to play every down. They would merely be expecting him to provide some depth behind Darius Slay and James Bradberry (and to replace Maddox in certain situations).
Philadelphia is 6-1 on the year, which is tied for the best record in the NFL.
The Eagles will go for the season sweep of the Washington Commanders this Sunday.
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