Howie Roseman: 'Young CBs To Build With For First Time In Awhile'
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Howie Roseman traded an asset at a position of strength in order to acquire an asset at a position of need.
He seems proud of his work.
"When you go back and watch him in some of the coverages, some of the scheme that Coach [Jim] Schwartz does playing against the guys in the NFC East. He played against the Giants, the Cowboys, and the Redskins in 2015 and you see him doing a lot of things that coach asks from our defensive backs.
Related: Porter: McCoy Wrong In Saying Watkins Is Better Than Matthews
"You look at that and then he's got two years left on his contract, he's 23-years-old, and now -- for the first time in a long time -- we have a young core group of corners that we can build with and I think that's really exciting for all of us."
Howie Roseman: "For the first time in a long time, we have a young, core group of corners that we can build with." #Eagles
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) August 14, 2017
The Eagles drafted cornerback Sidney Jones in the second round and Rasul Douglas in the third round, in this year's draft. Jones continues to recover from a torn Achilles.
Roseman on CB Sidney Jones possibly playing in 2017-18: "We're a long way away from making that determination." #Eagles
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) August 14, 2017
The Eagles will likely look first to Nelson Agholor in replacing Matthews. Agholor, a 2015 first-round pick, has struggled in his first two NFL seasons but some are expecting a third-year breakout campaign for the talented wide out.
"We do, there's no question about it," Roseman said, when asked if he sees a different Agholor this year. "He's really focused, really confident. We've gotten a chance to see him every day since the players have came back in April and he's just got a great look in his eyes and we're really excited to see him continue to develop and take a step forward."
Roseman explains they have many slot options.
"Nelson has been running with the one's and he's certainly taken a step forward," Roseman said. "Mack [Hollins] can play inside and out. We have a guy Marcus Johnson, who hasn't been out there. Bryce Treggs had a heck of a game.
"A guy like Trey Burton has played in the slot. [Donnel] Pumphrey has played in the slot. So we have options and I think for coach, being versatile is really important."