![NFL – James Bradberry still an Eagle, but he’s no longer a cornerback – NBC Sports Philadelphia NFL – James Bradberry still an Eagle, but he’s no longer a cornerback – NBC Sports Philadelphia](https://i1.wp.com/media.nbcsportsphiladelphia.com/2024/06/web-240604-james-bradberry.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&resize=1200%2C675&w=1200&resize=1200,0&ssl=1)
James Bradberry is still an Eagle.
He’s just not a cornerback anymore.
Nick Syrianni said before Tuesday’s minicamp practice that Bradberry, a second-team All-Pro cornerback two years ago, is now working at safety.
With the addition of first-round pick Quinyon Mitchell, second-round pick Cooper DeJean and free agent Isaiah Rodgers, there was no spot at corner for Bradberry opposite six-time Pro Bowler Darius Slay.
But the Eagles obviously don’t want to cut Bradberry, who was statistically the worst cornerback in the NFL last year due to the cap hit; As a post-June 1 cut, he would count $4.305 million in dead money against this year’s salary cap if the Eagles release him and $10.813 million in 2015.
That could still happen, but by moving him to safety, the Eagles add depth at a position where they are very light and perhaps increase Bradberry’s potential trade value.
Chauncey Gardner-Johnson and Reed Blankenship are the starters at safety, but the only real depth the Eagles have at safety is another converted cornerback, Mekhi Garner, who has played 27 career defensive snaps, and second-year pro Sydney Brown, who is still rehabilitating. a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Tristin McCollum and Andre’ Sam are also deep on the depth chart at safeties.
So in the long-term worst-case scenario, the Eagles put off making a decision on the 30-year-old Bradberry. Probably? Who knows, maybe they’ll add some much-needed safety depth.
Bradberry was on the practice field Tuesday at the start of the Eagles’ three-day mandatory minicamp at the NovaCare Complex.
“He played most of his career at corner and then he was able to do some things at corner (last year) and some things at corner, some things at corner,” Sirianni said. “And now he’s working on some safety issues, which you’ll see (in practice).
“So I’m excited about that and his opportunity to be able to (play safety). You’ve seen a lot of good corners in this league (move to safe position). I guess the first guy that comes to mind is Charles Woodson, he went from being an elite corner to being an elite nickelback to being an elite safety. And that’s why I’m excited about James, that he can do more.”
A first-ballot Hall of Famer, Woodson made eight Pro Bowls and two first-team All-Pro teams as a cornerback with the Raiders and Packers before returning to safety in his 15th season with Green Bay. He played his last four seasons as a safety. He had 54 interceptions and 11 pick-sixes at cornerback. In 2012, at the age of 36, he moved to safety with the Packers before finishing his career in Oakland. He had 11 INTs in four years as a safety.
Bradberry has had some good seasons, but he’s obviously in a different league than Woodson. He made his only Pro Bowl in 2020 with the Giants and has 19 INTs in eight seasons, four in two years with the Eagles.
Sirianni said Bradberry reacted positively when the switch from corner to safety was suggested.
“James has always been a team guy from the moment he came in here and from what I understand, everywhere else he has been because we obviously did our research before bringing James in in 2022,” Sirianni said.
“And he’s always been a great team guy. He will do anything for his teammates. He will do anything for the team.”
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