Veteran cornerback Chidobe Awuzie is poised to explore free agency following a three-year stint with the Cincinnati Bengals, and speculation is brewing that he may find a new home with the Philadelphia Eagles.
According to Dallas Robinson of Pro Football Network, who compiled offseason predictions for each NFL team, the Eagles are expected to secure Awuzie’s signature.
“The Eagles’ cornerback situation was a mess in 2023, and GM Howie Roseman has some decisions to make this offseason. Darius Slay seems likely to return, but James Bradberry could be a candidate for a post-June 1 release. Either way, Philadelphia needs to add bodies in the secondary after ranking bottom-five in pass defense efficiency. Chidobe Awuzie was a legitimate CB1 as recently as 2021; while a torn ACL slowed him down over the next two years, he’s still only 28. If the Eagles are looking for potential surplus value, Awuzie could be on their list.”
Originally drafted in the second round from Colorado by the Dallas Cowboys in 2017, Awuzie spent his initial four seasons in Dallas, amassing an impressive record of 49 games played with 42 starts. His tenure with the Cowboys culminated in a new chapter when he signed with Cincinnati in 2021.
Awuzie’s debut season with the Bengals showcased his potential, featuring 14 games played, all as a starter. He concluded the season with notable statistics, including 64 total tackles, 4 tackles for loss (a career high), 14 pass breakups, and 2 interceptions.
Pro Football Focus recorded his coverage performance, highlighting 518 coverage snaps with 53 catches allowed on 93 targets. Impressively, he attained an 84.2 grade in coverage from PFF and demonstrated remarkable plays throughout the season, such as his memorable interception against the Los Angeles Chargers.
However, Awuzie faced adversity midway through his 2022 campaign when he suffered a torn ACL. Despite the setback, his performance during the first eight games reflected his defensive prowess, limiting opponents to a mere 42% completion rate on passes thrown his way and conceding only 20 yards after the catch prior to his injury.
In 2023, Awuzie made a commendable recovery, participating in 15 games with 10 starts, albeit with some initial challenges stemming from his previous injury. His contributions included 57 total tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 6 pass breakups, and a forced fumble.
As the NFL offseason looms, the Philadelphia Eagles are in search of defensive reinforcements, particularly in the secondary. Acquiring a talent like Awuzie would undoubtedly bolster their defensive lineup and position them strategically for the upcoming season.
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