The Philadelphia Eagles are working out veteran free agent cornerback Mike Hilton on Monday, according to a report from NFL insider Jordan Schultz.
We previously highlighted Hilton as a potential Eagles target back on August 27. Here’s what we said at the time:
I don’t think this is realistic since 1) he’ll probably end up reuniting with Lou Anarumo in Indy and 2) the Eagles will probably keep Cooper DeJean in the slot but Hilton has been a pretty good nickel corner in the past. And if the Birds can’t find a good CB2 option, it might eventually make sense to move DeJean out there and find a new nickel. Let me be clear: I don’t think moving DeJean is ideal. I’m not itching to do it. But the Eagles might not have a choice if the CB2 situation turns out to be a disaster, which can’t be ruled out.
Indeed, the CB2 situation is not looking great for the Eagles at the moment. Adoree’ Jackson struggled in Week 1. We’ve yet to see Jakorian Bennett get an extended chance but there’s no guarantee he’s the answer there, either.
And so it looks like the Eagles are preparing for a world where the best option is moving DeJean outside and finding a new slot corner. Unless they’re just signing Hilton to provide some depth at nickel CB.
The 31-year-old Hilton originally entered the NFL as an undrafted rookie free agent signing in 2016. He has a prototypical nickel corner frame at 5’9”, 184 pounds. As such, the majority of his career snaps have coming play in the slot. Between four years with the Pittsburgh Steelers and another four with the Cincinnati Bengals, Hilton has logged 66 tackles for loss, 56 passes defensed, 32 quarterback hits, 13 interceptions, 11.5 sacks, and four interceptions in 123 regular season games played. That’s some really nice production.
Of course, if he’s still any good, one must wonder why the Miami Dolphins cut him in August after originally signing him in late July. On that note, here’s some insight from The Phinsider:
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the team is releasing cornerback Mike Hilton, a move that comes with some surprise. Hilton was listed as the starting nickel cornerback on the team’s preseason depth chart and it was widely assumed he had locked that spot down, but he did not get many reps with the top unit during training camp and he seemed to have been surpassed by rookie Jason Marshall, Jr. With the release, Marshall should be locked in as the team’s top nickel cornerback.
According to Pro Football Reference, Hilton allowed a 92.0 passer rating when targeted in 2024 on an all-around terrible Bengals defense. He only allowed a 66.5 passer rating in 2023. His career rating when targeted is 82, which is pretty good.
Perhaps Hilton has some gas left in the tank. The Eagles are working him out to get a better gauge of that much.
The Birds notably have an open roster spot after waiving Kenyon Green over the weekend.
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