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Philadelphia Eagles add top NFL free agent to provide depth on defense

Despite their 4-0 start to the season, the defending NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles have struggled big time against the pass this season.

After their latest win over the Washington Commander on Sunday, general manager Howie Roseman is seeking to rectify this issue.

According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Philadelphia has signed veteran cornerback Bradley Roby off the NFL free agent market. Roby had visited with the Eagles earlier in the day, making it realistic that something could come together relatively quickly.

Roby, 31, was a surprise release of the New Orleans Saints ahead of Week 1. The nine-year NFL veteran has proven himself to be among the most-underrated cornerbacks in the league and had drawn interest form multiple teams. That included a recent visit with the conference rival San Francisco 49ers.

Last season with New Orleans saw Roby record 36 tackles and five passes defended while yielding a mere 54% completion to go with a 79.4 QB rating when targeted.

Related: Ranking the Philadelphia Eagles among NFL defenses

Philadelphia Eagles get much needed depth with Bradley Roby

NFL: New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

As mentioned above, Philadelphia has struggled big time against the pass through four games. Opposing quarterbacks are completing 67% of their passes for 1,116 yards with nine touchdowns and two interceptions against this unit. That’s good enough for a 99.5 passer rating.

From a league-wide perspective, Philadelphia is giving up the seventh-most passing yards per game (260).

Signing Roby should help in this regard. That’s especially true with injuries Philadelphia has dealt with in the defensive backfield. Cornerbacks Justin Evans and Sydney Brown are currently sidelined to injury. James Bradberry and Mario Goodrich have also dealt with injuries through the first four games.

Philadelphia joins San Francisco as the only two remaining undefeated teams in the NFL after last week’s 34-31 overtime win over the division-rival Washington Commanders.

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