By Colby Lanham // Athletic Communications
The Seattle Seahawks’ famed ‘Legion of Boom’ lost a member at the start of NFL free agency as cornerback Byron Maxwell signed a six-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles worth $63 million with $25 million guaranteed. In his final year with Seattle, including the playoffs, Maxwell registered 50 tackles, 13 passes defended, and three interceptions in 16 games, and was an integral piece in Seattle’s secondary the past two seasons.
Drafted in the sixth round with the 173rd pick, Maxwell was noted for his physical play during his tenure at Clemson. During his tenure at Clemson, Maxwell registered 165 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, a sack, four interceptions, 20 pass breakups, and six caused fumbles in a school record-tying 53 games (eight starts) in his collegiate career.
At 6’1, 207 pounds, he is a physical, athletic corner able to keep up with big bodied receivers while being versatile enough to play anywhere on the field. As many NFL personnel considered Maxwell to be the top cornerback in free agency, Sports Illustrated NFL writer Doug Farrar broke down what Maxwell would bring to the Eagles’ secondary:
“Though all of Seattle’s cornerbacks must play press, Maxwell is the best and most proficient of them all in off-coverage, various zone principles and “bail” coverage, when a defender turns his hips to the quarterback (frequently on a multi-receiver side) to try and read the quarterback’s intentions. Press-bail coverage has bedeviled Sherman to varying degrees since he came into the league, but Maxwell has it on lock for the most part…”
-Doug Farrar, NFL Writer Sports Illustrated
For more of Farrar’s breakdown of Maxwell, go here:
December 11, 2024
December 10, 2024
