Philadelphia Eagles To Work Out Veteran Cornerback Mike Hilton Before Week 2
The Philadelphia Eagles will work out veteran Cornerback Mike Hilton on Monday. Coming off a Thursday night season-opening 24-20 win over the Dallas Cowboys, the Eagles were not happy with their corner play opposite Quinyon Mitchell. Adoree’ Jackson made the start opposite the Cowboys’ Ceedee Lamb, and Lamb caught five passes for 103 yards on seven targets against him.
Eagles Are Thin At Cornerback
Philadelphia thinks Mitchell, entering his second year, will eventually grow into a star. They have been pleased with Cooper DeJean, also in his second year, covering the slot and returning punts. Things get thin after that. Jackson, an eight-year vet, and Jakorian Bennett, in his third season, were brought in this year to provide depth.
Jackson ended up beating out unproven third-year man Kelee Ringo in training camp. The Eagles were not pleased with what they saw out of all three on Thursday. Besides those five, Philly only has Tariq Castro-Fields and rookie Mac McWilliams on the 53-man roster, and Castro-Fields is currently dealing with a hamstring issue.
Mike Hilton’s Resume
Hilton was an undrafted free agent out of Ole Miss. He was picked up by the Jacksonville Jaguars and New England Patriots, but was released without ever playing a game. The Pittsburgh Steelers signed him as a nickel corner in 2017, and he went on to play four years in the Steel City. In 2021, Hilton moved over to the Cincinnati Bengals, where he played the last four years. Over his eight-year career, Hilton has 13 interceptions (including one for a touchdown), six fumble recoveries, 520 total tackles, and 11.5 sacks.
Hilton is known as a solid cover man. He is also an aggressive tackler who is tough against the run and someone who loves to blitz from the slot corner. If the Eagles end up signing him, he probably won’t be taking anyone’s starting job. He has mainly played in the slot and would most likely be brought in to play on third downs, in dime packages, and in blitz schemes. Hilton played in 16 games last season for the Bengals, starting ten. He had one interception, five passes defensed, and 73 total tackles. Hilton was in training camp with the Miami Dolphins, but did not make their roster.
The Skinny On Signing Hilton
This would be a good, cheap signing if the Eagles decide to bring Hilton on. He will add a veteran presence, and adding him would light a fire under Jackson and the young corners. He has never made more than $6 million per year, so the Eagles would not take much of a hit in signing him. Philadelphia (1-0) heads to Kansas City in Week Two for a mid-afternoon matchup against the Chiefs (0-1). Having a little extra help against Patrick Mahomes is never a bad idea. We will see what develops in Philly this week.
