The Philadelphia Eagles have added to their cornerback room. Howie Roseman struck a deal with the New York Jets acquiring Michael Carter II and a 2027 seventh-round pick for wide receiver John Metchie and a 2027 sixth-round pick according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Philadelphia has struggled to find consistent outside cornerback play opposite of Quinyon Mitchell and have been playing Cooper DeJean on the outside when in base defense this season to help fill the void. It remains to be seen how Vic Fangio and the Eagles will utilize Carter II, but this move may ultimately solidify that DeJean will become the full-time second outside cornerback due to Carter II predominantly playing slot cornerback throughout his five-year career.
Fangio mentioned this week that they have continued to have discussions on moving Cooper DeJean to the outside full-time but never fully committing to the move. Acquiring the former fifth-round pick out of Duke would allow them to do so.
There are some ties with Carter and the Eagles as former Jets’ GM Joe Douglas, who is back with the Eagles in the front office, was the one who drafted Carter II and also worked out his three-year, $30.75 million extension before last season, making him the highest-paid slot corner in the league.
According to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, Carter wanted to play with the defending champions so badly that he agreed to rework his contract to get the trade done.
Carter has played at a solid level throughout his career before struggling this season dealing with nagging injuries. He has played in 65 games making 25 starts with the Jets with two interceptions and 26 passes defended.
With the Eagles on a BYE week, it will now allow Carter II to have extra time to get acclimated to Fangio’s defense and allow the Eagles to devise a plan on how they might potentially utilize their newest cornerback for their big matchup against the Green Bay Packers in Week 10.
