By Paul Bowman, Sports Talk Philly Editor 
In what can only be described as a shocking move, the Eagles managed to re-sign Ronald Darby for the 2019 season despite his being the top free agent corner on the market.
Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network said that the goal for Darby seems to be getting back to the market at full health next offseason for a pay day.
The #Eagles and CB Ronald Darby agreed to terms on a 1-year deal worth $8.5M, source said. A chance to get back at the market next year at full health.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 15, 2019
At the same time, Darby felt that the team wanted him, he knows that they can win and he has previously said that Philadelphia is one of the best sports cities in the world, so it is an ideal place to take a prove-it deal.
The concept is questionable, however. Darby has landed on IR each of the last two seasons, so Darby may not reach the 2020 free agent market healthy. If he does, he will not be the top corner on the market with guys like Byron Jones, Chris Harris Jr., Jonathan Joseph, Jimmy Smith, Logan Ryan, Joe Haden, Trae Waynes, Aquib Talib, Marcus Peters, Xavien Howard and James Bradberry all set to reach the market. Certainly not all of them will, but it is hard to imagine all 11 of these guys staying put.
As for the Eagles comp pick formula, the team would likely have gotten another high pick for Darby signing elsewhere (they currently appear in line for a third-rounder from Foles and fourth-rounders from Hicks and Tate), but bringing Darby back will not hurt the picks they are in line for and the Eagles have plenty of free agents that could sign a deal and qualify for their fourth and final possible comp pick.
I noted in an article about the Chris Long and Nigel Bradham contract restructures that the Eagles had a minimum of $8.5 million in cap space to use in free agency. If we assume that Darby’s cap hit is $8.5 million, the Birds have next to no cap space left, so Brandon Graham, Ronald Darby and the two Jacksons were the Eagles’ splash in free agency. It appears they will look to address the rest of the roster with the draft and perhaps a few veterans they sign to minimum deals.
Update: The following chart has been updated with official numbers on the Nigel Bradham and Malik Jackson deals that were not present at the time this article was originally written.
Eagles Salary Cap Transaction Table
| Transaction | Salary Change | New Cap Space |
|---|---|---|
| Cap Space as of February 25, 2019 | – | $3,613,815 |
| Eagles Extend Brandon Graham | +$3,500,000 | $113,815 |
| Eagles Decline Tim Jernigan’s Option | -$7,000,000 | $7,113,815 |
| Eagles Extend Jason Kelce | -$4,000,000 | $11,113,815 |
| Eagles Extend Isaac Seumalo | +$800,000 | $10,313,815 |
| Lane Johnson Restructures Deal | -$8,200,000 | $18,513,815 |
| Eagles Trade Michael Bennett | -$7,200,000 | $25,713,815 |
| Eagles Sign Jason Peters to One-Year Deal | -$2,000,000 | $27,713,815 |
| Eagles Decline Wisniewski’s 2019 Option | -$3,000,000 | $30,713,815 |
| Eagles Tender Nate Sudfeld | +$3,095,000 | $27,618,815 |
| Eagles Sign L.J. Fort | +$1,410,416 | $26,208,399 |
| Eagles Sign Malik Jackson | +$2,800,000 | $23,408,399 |
| Eagles Restructure Nigel Bradham’s Deal | -$4,365,000 | $27,773,399 |
| Eagles Acquire/Extend DeSean Jackson | +$7,000,000* | $20,773,399 |
| Ronald Darby Re-Signs | -$8,500,000* | $12,273,399 |
* – Indicates number is a projection and not yet official
The Eagles will need near $6.5 million to sign their draft picks, so their remaining cap space available for free agents is near $5.7 million without knowing the official numbers on the DeSean Jackson and Ronald Darby deals.
Darby is healing from an ACL tear and may not be ready to start the season, but his return may signal the Eagles intentions of trading another of their corners. They currently have six that you could argue should be starting as well as Chandon Sullivan, who spent time on the active roster last year, and anyone they might choose to draft.
In addition, they have Jenkins, McLeod and a Tre Sullivan who really shined late in last season at safety, giving them nine defensive backs that seem to be a lock for the 53-man roster. That is the same number they carried to start last year and it is hard to imagine that going up. If the team adds a corner or safety in the draft or they have a standout in camp, a corner is likely to be moved.
In my opinion, Avonte Maddox would likely be the only one who is untouchable because of how much the Eagles love his versatility and how he played in his rookie season.
