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NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo reports via Twitter that the Los Angeles Chargers are signing former Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Jaylen Watkins to a one-year deal:
Former Eagles DB Jaylen Watkins headed to the Chargers on a one-year deal, source says. Can play corner or safety but likely to be a safety for LAC.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 30, 2018
Watkins played the majority of his limited snaps in 2017 at outside cornerback, but he also lined up on the inside and at safety. Per Garafolo, Watkins will be expected to play primarily as a safety in defensive coordinator Gus Bradley’s defense. The Eagles had the option of extending Watkins a restricted free agent tender this year, but they instead allowed the 26-year-old to enter free agency.
It remains uncertain what size role Watkins can be expected play for the Chargers, but he did not play a particularly large role for the Eagles logging well under 200 snaps across the entire regular season. The San Francisco 49ers hosted Watkins a little over a week ago but were unable to come to a deal, so the former fourth-round pick was in some level of demand.