Double Dip

The Eagles on Thursday evening added a pair of free agents on the defensive side, bolstering depth at key positions.

Joining the Eagles’ defensive backfield will be veteran cornerback Jonathan Jones, who agreed to terms on a one-year deal, a league source confirmed the initial report from NFL Media.

Jones, 32, forges ahead for an 11th NFL season after appearing in 12 games (seven starts) last season for the Commanders, combining for 41 tackles, five passes defended and a sack across 484 snaps. A hamstring injury suffered Week 2 necessitated a stint on injured reserve, but Jones proved to be a versatile secondary piece in Washington.

Veteran CB Jonathan Jones adds to the Eagles’ needed depth in the secondary.

Signed as an undrafted free agent by the New England Patriots in 2016, Jones spent his first nine seasons in Foxborough, where he started 71 games, won a pair of Super Bowls and collected all of his 11 career interceptions. As a member of the Patriots, Jones overlapped with current Eagles secondary coach Mike Pellegrino, who for six seasons served as cornerbacks coach (2019-2024.)

The Auburn product joins a crowded cornerback room, but his experience and versatility could fuel an emergence from the pack amid the dog days of summer.

On its face, one can draw parallels to the Adoree’ Jackson signing from an offseason ago, though unlike Jackson, Jones projects as depth. He’ll contend with holdovers Kelee Ringo, Jakorian Bennett and Mac McWilliams – and potentially a 2026 draft pick – for a roster spot.

The next signing occurred much later in the evening – at a position that’s seemingly drawn considerable angst in the wake of Jaelan Phillips’ departure. That apprehension, however, has likely waned as the Eagles agreed to a one-year, $7.3 million max deal with former Atlanta Falcons pass rusher Arnold Ebiketie, with $4.3 million fully guaranteed, according to an ESPN report.

Ebiketie, a second-round pick of the Falcons in 2022, appeared in 17 games (three starts) last season for the Falcons, producing 36 tackles, two sacks and six quarterback hits in a rotational role. The Temple and Penn State product logged 384 snaps, accounting for 35% of the team’s defensive snaps.

For perspective, Ebiketie, 27, has played more than 500 defensive snaps twice in four years, profiling as a third or fourth edge rusher in the pecking order. The same, of course, was initially expected of previous free agent signings Josh Uche and Azeez Ojulari, though Ebiketie has the potential to become a far more prominent contributor.

The 6-foot-2, 250-pound Ebiketie qualifies as an intriguing addition due to skill set and limited mileage, arming position coach Jeremiah Washburn another upside-laden talent. In Philadelphia, Ebiketie adds to a room that includes Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt and Jose Ramirez. As Roseman stated at the NFL Scouting Combine, expect the Eagles – as they typically do – to carry seven or eight players at the position into training camp.

In 67 games (12 starts) with the Falcons, Ebiketie registered 129 tackles (17 for loss), 16.5 sacks, 41 quarterback hits, six passes defended, four forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

— Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is the Eagles reporter for InsideTheBirds.com