Eagles CB Brandon Boykin Traded To Steelers

According to Ian Rapaport of NFL.com, the Pittsburgh Steelers have completed a trade that strengthens their secondary, and makes it one of the best in the National Football League. In return, the Eagles will receive a conditional fifth-round pick in 2016. The 2014 Steelers were tied for 25th, with 11 interceptions and 27th in passing defense (253 YPG). He couldn’t start ahead of Cary Williams or Bradley Fletcher last year, even when Williams and especially Fletcher struggled badly, and Davis named Nolan Carroll as a 2015 starter ahead of Boykin opposite newcomer Byron Maxwell.

The Steelers spent two draft picks this offseason on cornerbacks as Golson and Doran Grant were selected in the second and fourth rounds respectively.

Boykin, 25, was drafted originally by the Eagles in the fourth-round of the 2012 NFL Draft out of Georgia. Boykin probably would have left Philadelphia in free agency after this season.

Eagles head coach Chip Kelly said Bradford’s accuracy was the major motive behind the deal and downplayed his second serious knee injury last season. The Eagles front office did well in this transaction to receive something for a player soon to be departing anyway.

Boykin said his differences with Kelly were based on lack of communication.

Boykin later insisted that he was not implying that Kelly is racist. He compiled seven interceptions, six of which came in 2013, and forced four fumbles in that span.

The trade could also signal that the Eagles are confident that rookie cornerbacks Eric Rowe and JaCorey Shepherd are ready to play now, as one of them will now be counted on to play in the slot, the role held by Boykin the past three seasons.