Eagles Free Agency Rumors: Philadelphia interested in 49ers free agent cornerback

The Philadelphia Eagles have shown some interest in free agent cornerback Marcus Cromartie, according to Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee. The Seahawks, Jets, and Lions (who had him in for a visit) have also reportedly shown interest.

Cromartie was scheduled to be a restricted free agent this offseason but the 49ers opted not to tender him, thus making him unrestricted.

The 26-year-old Cromartie measures in at 6-0, 194 pounds. He signed with the Chargers as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2013. San Diego cut him and he ended up on the Browns’ practice squad for a day before signing with the 49ers in 2014.

Cromartie only recorded one start in San Francisco. He recorded 16 tackles, three passes defensed, and one fumble recovery in 21 games played.

Signing Cromartie, who has some experience at both corner and safety, would be a total bargain bin acquisition for the Eagles. Philadelphia is tight on cap space but they obviously still need a lot of help at cornerback. Cromartie could be worth a flyer at minimum salary.

Cromartie is indeed related to NFL veteran corner Antonio Cromartie and former Eagles defensive back Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, by the way. He’s their cousin.

Our friends over at Niners Nation have some more background on Cromartie if you’re interested.

Cromartie played 59 defensive snaps in Week 9. Pro Football Focus gave him a +1.8 overall grade, and a +1.1 coverage grade. They had him giving up three receptions on five targets, for 33 yards, with one pass deflection. In Week 11, he played 47 defensive snaps. PFF gave him a -0.8 overall grade, and a -0.9 coverage grade. They had him down for one reception on two targets, for eight yards, with one missed tackle.