This is the right year to be buying free agents in bulk with prices so low. That's especially true at defensive back.
It just so happens the Philadelphia Eagles need an entirely new secondary.
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On Thursday, the Eagles announced they agreed to terms on a one-year contract with former New York Giants safety Kenny Phillips and a three-year deal with former Baltimore Ravens cornerback Cary Williams.
The signings continue Philadelphia's trend of buying low on players this year and buying a lot of them. Although Williams wasn't that cheap. His deal is worth $17 million over three years, with $10.5 million guaranteed, a source close to the situation told NFL Network's Michelle Beisner.
Williams probably was the Baltimore Ravens' best starting cornerback down the stretch last season, but that was only after Lardarius Webb was hurt. Williams got beat plenty and probably is an average starting cornerback at best.
Still, that's an upgrade for the Eagles. They are looking for help after cutting Nnamdi Asomugha and letting Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie leave town. Williams and fellow free-agent pickup Bradley Fletcher figure to be starters in Philadelphia next season.
Phillips is even more intriguing. At times, he was an intelligent difference-maker for the New York Giants, patrolling their back end. Injuries have clouded his future -- thus the one-year deal. It's a low-risk, high reward contract for the Eagles.
They've made a lot of those this week.
Follow Gregg Rosenthal on Twitter @greggrosenthal.
