Devin McCourty, cornerback/safety
Age: 27
Height: 5-10
Weight: 195
Last team: New England Patriots
Scouting report
The 27th overall pick in the 2010 draft made the Pro Bowl as a cornerback in his first season after picking off seven passes. He moved to safety in 2012. He has 17 interceptions and one sack in 77 career games, all starts. McCourty, the former Rutgers star, has missed just three career games. He made $3.92 million last year in base salary in the final year of his rookie deal.
Geoff’s take
Even discussing his availability is a pipe dream because I can’t see the Super Bowl champs letting him walk out the door. Then again, it is the Patriots. I really like McCourty, and the Eagles definitely need a safety upgrade over Nate Allen, but I’m passing on the market’s top guy. I’d rather spend bigger on cornerback and make a modest upgrade at safety. Blowing big bucks on McCourty would preclude the Eagles from doing much at cornerback — and they definitely need an upgrade at cornerback. Granted, it’s not a great safety market after McCourty, but the money is better spent elsewhere.
Roob’s take
Tempting, isn’t it? I’m with Mosh, I don’t think he’ll ever hit the open market. A two-time All-Pro in the prime of his career? McCourty isn’t going anywhere. Now, if something happens and he starts fielding offers, I’d throw my name in the hat. It’s virtually impossible to find stud safeties, and McCourty is one. If you’re going to land one big-money free agent for the secondary this spring, McCourty would be even ahead of Byron Maxwell, just because corners are easier to find than safeties and McCourty is less of a risk — a five-year full-time starter as opposed to a one-year starter. It’s fun to think about. But it’s not happening.