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Four lingering questions about the Eagles defense before training camp

Olivia Reiner, The Philadelphia Inquirer on

Published in Football

Under the guidance of new coordinator Vic Fangio, the Philadelphia Eagles' overhauled defense began to come together during organized team activities and minicamp.

The scheme and its key contributors will continue to take shape when training camp commences in late July. In the meantime, here are four lingering questions about the Eagles defense after minicamp, the second installment of a two-part series that started with some thoughts on the offense:

Will James Bradberry have a role on the team come Week 1?

The veteran cornerback's future with the Eagles grew a layer of intrigue during minicamp.

Before the first practice, coach Nick Sirianni revealed that Bradberry had been cross-training at safety throughout the offseason program and would continue to do so that day. Sirianni saw that plan derailed when the 30-year-old cornerback left practice during individual drills as he dealt with what an NFL source told The Philadelphia Inquirer was an abductor (hip) injury. He never participated in team drills — or any more drills after leaving practice — that week.

Do the Eagles believe that Bradberry can bounce back from his shaky 2023 season as a versatile depth piece? He spent an early stint in the slot last year in place of an injured Avonte Maddox, but general manager Howie Roseman called Bradberry an "outside guy" back in February. Still, when speaking about Bradberry's cross-training opportunity, Sirianni even invoked the name of Charles Woodson, the Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive back who started his 18-year NFL career at cornerback before transitioning to safety for his final four seasons.

 

"You've seen a lot of good corners in this league," Sirianni said. "I guess the first guy that comes to my mind, Charles Woodson. He went from elite corner to being an elite nickel to being an elite safety. And so, I'm excited about that for James, that he's able to do more."

Will the Eagles end up moving on from Bradberry entirely, a move that would come with considerable salary-cap ramifications? At the very least, Sirianni's comments offered further support to the notion that Bradberry is unlikely to return as the starting outside cornerback opposite Darius Slay.

While the Eagles' cornerbacks room is quite crowded, they're lacking depth at safety. Reed Blankenship and C.J. Gardner-Johnson are the clear-cut starting safety candidates for 2024. Sydney Brown is behind them on the depth chart, but he's still rehabbing his way back from an ACL injury and his status is unknown for Week 1. Maddox even played some safety in minicamp as he looks to diversify his role and fill a need for the team.

Who will start at outside cornerback opposite Slay and at slot cornerback?

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