April 01, 2015
According to a "report" (if that's what you'd call it) by Armondo Salguero of the Miami Herald, Eagles cornerback Brandon Boykin is on the trading block, and the Miami Dolphins are a possibility as a trade partner.
The Eagles, who one source tells me are willing to trade just about anybody for the right compensation, are said to be willing to trade cornerback Brandon Boykin. I cannot independently confirm Boykin is on the market, but other "reports" say he is.
Boykin has been a more than functional nickel cornerback for the Eagles since being drafted in 2012 but he was picked by former coach Andy Reid. Current coach Chip Kelly inherited him. And no player Kelly inherited should feel comfortable about their long-term status in Philly.
So Boykin's on the radar as a possibility.
Salguero cannot confirm that Boykin specifically is on the market, but he cites other "reports" (in quotes, as if he doesn't think these other "reports" are legit?) as saying he is, without noting who reported said "reports."
That's ... odd? But whatever -- let's talk about it anyway.
Boykin being on the trading block certainly makes sense. The Eagles have proven by now that Boykin isn't ever going to be given a legitimate shot to start on the outside, no matter how much they say he'll compete for the job in training camp. Last season, the Eagles wrongly stuck with Bradley Fletcher at one corner spot all the way up until they were eliminated from playoff contention. And by the time the Eagles made the long overdue decision to bench Fletcher, they started Nolan Carroll on the outside, not Boykin.
Add in that the Eagles signed Byron Maxwell, they still have Carroll on the roster, and recently signed slot corner Walter Thurmond, and the smoke begins to build.
Clearly, the Eagles do not value Boykin as much as the Philly fan base, media, and likely a number of teams around the NFL. Boykin will enter the this season on the final year of his rookie deal, and the worst case scenario would be if Boykin played out 2015 and walked in free agency for nothing next offseason. If the Eagles can get something in return for him now, they should.
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