Insider thinks Eagles could find a hidden gem in a castoff with a familiar name

USA Today

6 hours ago

Insider thinks Eagles could find a hidden gem in a castoff with a familiar name NFL Insider believes Philly may benefit from adding the son of a former Eagles star.
Once upon a time, people would ask what there was to talk about once the time expired on the Super Bowl and the Philadelphia Eagles entered the offseason. It certainly isn't that way anymore. The NFL Combine was once untelevised. Now, it has exploded into must-see television. Then, we all enter draft season.
Pro Days and Top-30 Visits overtake our thinking until the selection meeting finally arrives at the end of April. Once that wraps, we venture into rookie minicamp, OTAs, and mandatory minicamp. Then, there's a break until the Birds return for the beginning of training camp and another preseason.
There won't be any silence between June's midpoint and July 22, the official start of training camp. Perhaps you have heard. Jaire Alexander and the Green Bay Packers have ended their relationship in divorce, and the Philadelphia Eagles have been named frequently as a potential destination.
Alexander isn't the Eagles' only option for replacing the production they enjoyed from Darius Slay, Isaiah Rodgers, and Avonte Maddox, who all left during free agency. One of ESPN's top NFL insiders believes the Birds could benefit if nepotism begins playing a role in their decision-making.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler mentions Asante Samuel Jr. as a possible option for the Eagles' roster
As training camp approaches and things begin to pick up steam, one of the biggest topics of conversation will be Philadelphia's depth chart at defensive back. Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean have entrenched themselves in the starting lineup as an outside and slot corner, but there will be competition for the other outside starting gig. That one is expected to be spearheaded by a duel between Kelee Ringo and newly-acquired Adoree' Jackson.
A possible Jaire Alexander acquisition upsets the apple cart. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler recently appeared on 97.5 The Fanatic and threw another name into the mix, free-agent corner Asante Samuel Jr.
If Samuel's name looks familiar to you, that's because it should. His father played in Philadelphia for four seasons (2008-11). During his time in the City of Brotherly Love, he was named a Second-Team All-Pro (2009) after leading the league that season in interceptions. He was also named a Pro Bowler three times.
Junior was placed on the Los Angeles Chargers' injured reserve due to a shoulder injury in October. He, as Fowler pointed out, lacks long speed. He is also recovering from a neck injury, but Alexander has had his share of injury concerns recently, too, which, no doubt, helped influence Green Bay's decision to move on.
Philadelphia invested in the son of a franchise legend by adding Jeremiah Trotter Jr. during the 2024 NFL Draft. Might they explore the possibility of adding another familiar name?
Like Trot Jr., Samuel wouldn't be guaranteed a starting gig. He'd have to earn it, but he'd add another talented prospect to the CB discussion. This, more likely than not, is a smoke-filled conversation that won't lead to any fires, but one thing is sure. If Asante Samuel Jr. is the fifth or sixth cornerback on this depth chart, there won't be any complaints about Philadelphia's depth at the position.