James Bradberry is still an Eagle, but he’s no longer a cornerback

James Bradberry is still an Eagle, but he’s no longer a cornerback originally appeared in NBC Sports Philadelphia

James Bradberry is still an Eagle.

He’s simply not a cornerback anymore.

Nick Sirianni said before minicamp practice on Tuesday that Bradberry – a 2^{It is}-team All-Pro cornerback two years ago – now working at safety.

With the addition of 1^stround pick Quinyon Mitchell, 2^{It is}In 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 release Bradberry, who statistically was the worst corner in the NFL last year because of the cap hit — as a post-June 1 release, he would count $4.305 million in dead money against this year’s cap hit if the Eagles released him and $10.813 million in 2015.

That could still happen, but by moving him to safety, the Eagles add depth to 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 corner, Mekhi Garner, who has played 27 career defensive snaps and 2^{It is}One-year pro Sydney Brown, who is still recovering from an ACL injury. Tristin McCollum and Andre’ Sam are also at the top of the depth chart at safety.

In the long-term worst-case scenario, the Eagles postponed a decision on the 30-year-old Bradberry. At best? Who knows, maybe they’ll add some much-needed security 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 for a dime (last year) and some things for a nickel, some things at corner,” Sirianni said. “And now he’s working on some safety issues, which you’ll see (in training).

“So I’m excited about that and the opportunity to be able to (play safely). You’ve seen a lot of good corners in this league (pass to safety). I think the first guy that comes to mind is Charles Woodson, he went from an elite corner to an elite nickel to an elite safety. And I’m excited about it for James, that he’s capable of doing more.”

Woodson, a 1^st– Ballot Hall of Famer, made eight Pro Bowls and two 1^st-teamed All-Pro teams as a corner with the Raiders and Packers before returning to safety in his 15^th season with Green Bay. He played his last four seasons as a safety. He had 54 interceptions and 11 pick-sixes as a corner. In 2012, at age 36, he switched to safety with the Packers before ending his career in Oakland. He had 11 INTs in four years as a safety.

Bradberry has had great seasons, but is 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 move from cornerback 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 was always a great team guy. He will do anything for his teammates. He will do anything for the team.”

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