Darius Slay might be the difference for Eagles to contend in 2020

The Eagles have a lot riding on Darius Slay.

While the Philadelphia Eagles might have only ranked 19th in fewest passing yards allowed in the NFL last year, but that stat belies the fact that the lack of depth at cornerback hindered whatever championship hopes this squad had. Howie Roseman swung for the fences to plug up that hole after trading for Detroit Lions corner Darius Slay.

The former Mississippi State star might be the single most important player on the Eagles in 2020 given his role within Jim Schwartz’s defense.

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Darius Slay remains one of the best outside cornerbacks in football.

Slay has been named a Pro Bowler in each of the last three seasons, highlighted by an All-Pro season in 2017. Fortunately for the Eagles, Slay tired of Matt Patricia, allowing Philly to sweep him up for a few draft picks. Given his stickiness in man coverage and the fact that his former head coach in Schwartz requires his corners to stay out on an island often over the course of the game, Slay looks like a perfect addition to the Eagles’ secondary.

Slay has allowed just 51 percent completion on passes thrown his way over the last two years, picking off five passes in that span. Rather than continuing to wait on the Sidney Jones breakout that will never come, play slot corner Avonte Maddox on the outside, or close their eyes whenever Jalen Mills lined up at corner, Philly fixed their biggest issue by added a true lockdown No. 1 in Slay.

Eagles fans have been subjected to some shockingly poor defensive back play over the last few years, and the addition of Slay should go quite a way towards helping them solve that problem. If Philly is able to start locking down No. 1 receivers rather than letting them coast to 100 yards every game, this team could make a run at the Lombardi Trophy.