What does Chauncey Gardner-Johnson really bring to the Eagles?
By: Jake Rajala
The versatile, maniac Chauncey Gardner-Johnson was sent away (with a seventh-round pick) from his ride-or-die brotherhood in the Big Easy to wreak havoc in the city of brotherly love. I honestly believe the Eagles, who only coughed up a fifth-round pick in 2023 and the worse of their sixth-round pick in 2024, have a steal in CGJ.
CGJ had his best season in 2021 — as he unveiled three interceptions, seven pass deflections, two sacks, four tackles for loss, and four QB hits in 13 contests a season ago. The former Saint had a 62.2 grade by PFF last season, as well.
The scary part is that CGJ was climbing the ladder this off-season. Carson Caulfield of CSC nicely noted that he started training camp on a very positive note. Caulfield nicely pointed out that he had an interception against Jameis Winston on the first day of a Saturday practice. Yet, the Saints awarded his efforts by sending him out of town
Well, it’s safe to say that CGJ has made his presence felt immediately as an Eagle. According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, he made a beautiful pass deflection. Josh Tolentino (author of the article) noted that it’s also expected that he starts across from Marcus Epps at safety. Per ESPN, the current starters in the Eagles secondary are CB Darius Slay, CB James Bradberry, FS Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, and SS Marcus Epps. The starting slot CB is slated to be none other than Avonte Maddox.
The Eagles ranked 11th in passing yards allowed last season & I undoubtedly believe they can be a Top 5 unit in passing yards allowed in 2022. Between the new electric faces in their secondary and the shiny alpha-like profiles in their front seven (such as Haason Reddick and Jordan Davis), I believe the sky is the limit for the Eagles pass defense.
