In a better-late-than-never move, the Eagles on Thursday addressed their most obvious team need when they landed veteran cover corner Darius Slay in a trade with the Lions. After sending Detroit a third- and a fifth-round 2020 draft pick in the deal, Philadelphia gave Slay a three-year, $50 million contract extension that makes him the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL.
Yes, this kind of addition for the Eagles is overdue. But in the context of the five-year, $100 million contract star wide receiver Amari Cooper just signed to stay in Dallas, Philly traded for the perfect player at the perfect time.
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Slay, who at age 29 has made the Pro Bowl in each of the last three seasons (plus an All-Pro selection in 2017), has a reputation for shadowing opponents' best receivers and excelling in man coverage. For the Eagles, those skills will come in handy against Cooper and the rival Cowboys twice a year.
NFL analytics writer Warren Sharp recently pointed out how well Cooper has played in five career games against Philadelphia, and how poorly he has played in two career games against Slay in Detroit. The differences in the numbers are remarkable.
If Darius Slay is traded to the Eagles...
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) March 19, 2020
he’s done OUTSTANDING vs Amari Cooper.
Cooper vs PHI (5 gms, 44 targets):
• 4 TDs
• 11.1 YPA
• 98 yds/gm
• 64% catch rate
Cooper vs DET (2 gms, 12 targets):
• 0 TDs
• 3.5 YPA
• 21 yds/gm
• 33% catch rate
From 2019 meeting 🎥 pic.twitter.com/1a6Z6MSfkQ
As ESPN's Mike Clay notes, Pro Footbal Focus gave Slay a relatively poor coverage grade for his work last season — a 56.4, 83rd among NFL corners.
In the estimation of All-Pro Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu, PFF's evaluation is "a lie."
Sorry my guys, he is not the 83rd best CB. That is a lie that some will believe. #WatchTheTape he play man to man every down, even when he shouldn’t, he manned up. Tough duty, only 1% of the works can do. https://t.co/Uk4Uh4CPVb
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) March 19, 2020
Slay, who was selected by Detroit in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft, recorded 19 interceptions and 104 passes defended in his seven seasons with the Lions.
In Philadelphia, at least, he will be evaluated moving forward based on how he plays against Cooper and other dangerous No. 1 receivers the Eagles face.