Boykin On Dolphins’ Radar?


Photo Credit: Jeff Fusco

Photo Credit: Jeff Fusco

Yesterday, we linked to a report that indicated the Dolphins had shown interest in an Eagles defensive back.

Today, it appears we might have a name. Per Armando Salguero of the Miami HeraldBrandon Boykin is a player whom the Dolphins could covet.

Writes Salguero:

The Eagles, who one source tells me are willing to trade just about anybody for the right compensation, are said to be willing to trade cornerback Brandon Boykin. I cannot independently confirm Boykin is on the market, but other “reports” say he is.

Boykin has been a more than functional nickel cornerback for the Eagles since being drafted in 2012 but he was picked by former coach Andy Reid. Current coach Chip Kelly inherited him. And no player Kelly inherited should feel comfortable about their long-term status in Philly.

So Boykin’s on the radar as a possibility.

This one passes the smell test.

Eagles coaches have not shown a willingness to give Boykin a shot on the outside to this point. That decision was most damning last year when Bradley Fletcher was essentially struggling on a weekly basis.

Boykin has great ball skills, is a sure tackler and possesses tremendous athleticism. The only knock on him is that he’s 5-9. Given Chip Kelly’s emphasis on measurables, that has kept Boykin out of a starting role the past two seasons.

The former fourth-round pick is entering the final year of his contract. If he stays here in 2015, but only plays in nickel, it seems like a lock that Boykin would explore free agency next offseason and look for a starting role.

If the Eagles are unwilling to give him that shot here, it makes sense that they’d be seeing what they can get for him ahead of time, especially considering that they signed slot corner Walter Thurmond earlier this offseason and have some other options to play nickel like Jaylen Watkins and Nolan Carroll.

We’ll see if anything comes of this, but it would be no surprise to see the Eagles deal Boykin at some point.