Jaylen Watkins will be spending another year in Philadelphia. According to CSN Philly, the Eagles have signed the safety to a one-year contract extension, which will keep the exclusive rights free agent in the defensive backfield for at least one more season.
A most productive season
The need to bring back Watkins for another year was clear after the 2016 season. Despite not serving as a starter, the safety recorded 32 tackles and three pass deflections while making appearances in every game of the year. He wound up playing in 38 percent of the team's defensive snaps for the year, proving depth at a position where two entrenched starters held down the brunt of the fort for the Eagles.
In three years, Watkins now has 39 tackles and eight pass deflections. He was drafted in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Eagles back in 2014. He was cut by the team after his rookie year and signed with the Buffalo Bills to play with his younger brother, wide receiver Sammy Watkins. The team released him later in the 2015 season, though, and he found his way back to Philadelphia. He has since validated the decision to bring him back to the roster.
Looking forward in Philadelphia
The Eagles still have concerns about their defensive backs this offseason. Depth issues worry the team brass at safety, while the team does not have many strong options at cornerback. The team could look to pursue options at both spots, either in free agency beginning this week or in April's NFL Draft.
Malcolm Jenkins and Rodney McLeod will remain the starting safeties next season -- that much is certain. McLeod struggled in the run game and to make big plays in the second half of the season, while Jenkins was forced to move around a bit to cover the holes at cornerback. Another year playing the same positions in the same scheme will surely aid the unit's development. Having Jaylen Watkins back for another season was an important piece in it all, something the Eagles realized when they decided to re-sign him.
