Mosher's Mailbag: Finances limiting Boykin's snaps?

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In this edition of "Mosher's Mailbag," I answer a question about a defensive playmaker who many believe has earned more playing time.

Q. How will the Eagles get Brandon Boykin on the field more?
- Ian (@ianisstalling)

A. Good question, Ian. Boykin played 614 total defensive snaps last year, just 51 percent of the defense and almost half as many snaps as Cary Williams (1,132). Boykin’s six interceptions were tied for second in the NFL last year, so you’d think the coaches would want to find ways to get him and his playmaking ability on the field more in 2014, maybe even have Boykin compete for an outside corner job.

Except they don’t.

The big reason is that Boykin, who mans the slot as the No. 3 cornerback, has the ideal size, frame and skill set for the slot and he excels there. Chip Kelly likes taller, longer defensive backs on the outside against the growing trend of tall, physical wideouts. They don’t see Boykin’s 5-foot-10, 185-pound frame as ideal against guys like Brandon Marshall, Calvin Johnson, Vincent Jackson, Alshon Jeffery, Dez Bryant and similarly sized wideouts.

The Eagles see an advantage in matching up Boykin on the inside against the opponent’s third-best wideout. Given Boykin’s success there, it’s hard to argue against their case. So far, the formula has worked.

I’m not going to suggest that finances directly factor into the decision to keep Boykin on the inside, but the reality is that Boykin is eligible for an extension next offseason. If he moved outside and had another really good season he could justifiably command top outside corner money, which is richer than top slot corner money.

The going rate for upper echelon outside corners this past offseason was about $8 million to $10 million annually, going by the contracts given to Packers corner Sam Shields (four years, $39 million), Colts corner Vontae Davis (four years, $39 million), Broncos corner Aqib Talib (six years, $57 million) and new Giants corner Dominique Rodgers-Cromarte (five years, $39 million).

The Eagles also have to consider extensions next offseason for Nick Foles, Mychal Kendricks and Fletcher Cox, so keeping Boykin’s price tag down could help them keep their nucleus intact.

Financials aside, one way Boykin could see more defensive snaps this season without any changes in coaching philosophy would be if more opponents come out in spread formations, forcing the Eagles into more nickel and dime defenses.

Last year, Boykin played less than 45 snaps nine times, mainly because several of the Eagles’ opponents were either down to their backup quarterback or just struggling with their passing game and leaning toward heavy personnel. This year, they’re slated to see Colin Kaepernick, Russell Wilson, Cam Newton, Andrew Luck and Carson Palmer as part of their non-division schedule. Division counterparts Eli Manning and Robert Griffin III should also have better passing weaponry this season, so the opportunity for Boykin to see more snaps on defense should present itself.

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