Report: Eagles Eye Dolphins CB Sean Smith

The Eagles could look to re-shape their secondary by going after potential free agent cornerback Sean Smith, according to a report.

Per Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com, the team is expected to target Smith in a few weeks (March 12) when the signing period begins.

Originally a second-round pick of the Dolphins in 2009, Smith (6-3, 218) is only 25-years-old. He’s started 56 games over the last four seasons. According to Pro Football Focus, he saw a lot of action in 2012. Smith was targeted 113 times, more than any other cornerback in the league. Opposing quarterbacks completed 54.9 percent of their attempts when throwing at him (31st in the NFL), and Smith missed just four tackles.

In 2010, Football Outsiders had Smith ranked 10th in success rate (62 percent), a stat that measures “the percentage of passes that don’t manage to get at least 45 percent of needed yards on first down, 60 percent of needed yards on second down, or 100 percent of needed yards on third down.” But in 2011, he fell to 57th (48 percent).

Smith has five career interceptions, but according to Football Outsiders, that number could be much higher. He dropped five interceptions back in 2010.

Per Ben Volin of the Palm Beach Post, Smith is seeking $24 million guaranteed over three years. The Dolphins could tag him, but they seem unlikely to match his price for a long-term deal.

The Eagles’ plan seems to be to let Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie walk as a free agent. Nnamdi Asomugha could be brought back on a re-structured deal, or they could cut ties with him and just eat the $4 million.

Either way, the Eagles are likely to address the cornerback position in free agency and the draft.

Follow Sheil Kapadia on Twitter and e-mail him at skapadia@phillymag.com.
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