Eagles cornerback Brandon Boykin led the team with six interceptions last season, despite only being in the starting lineup for two games. But while the Eagles love Boykin’s play, there are no plans to make him a starter in the base defense.
That’s because, secondary coach John Lovett says, the 5-foot-10 Boykin just can’t match up with bigger receivers on the outside.
“He did a great job there,” Lovett told the Times of Trenton. “His biggest drawback is his size. When you put him outside, he can get exposed because of that. Like I said, he did a great job inside, and we’re going to keep him there.”
The Eagles’ pass defense was shaky last season, and Lovett knows that needs to improve.
“We have to get better; we know that,” Lovett said. “We feel we’re adding the right pieces, plus what we have coming back, to do just that.”
Among the improvements, the Eagles hope, will be the addition of free agent safety Malcolm Jenkins, free agent cornerback Nolan Carroll and rookie defensive backs Jaylen Watkins and Ed Reynolds. But Boykin will be staying where he is: Playing well, but not on the outside against 6-foot-4 receivers.
