Cre'Von LeBlanc Set for Homecoming in Miami
Cre'Von LeBlanc, a one-time waiver-wire pickup who developed into a fan favorite in Philadelphia, signed a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins Friday.
NFL reporter Josina Anderson was the first to report the deal and a league source confirmed it to SI.com’s Eagle Maven.
LeBlanc, 26, is a South Florida native who attended college at Florida Atlantic so his move to the Dolphins is a bit of a homecoming.
The Eagles originally claimed LeBlanc off waivers from Detroit in November of the 2018 season. While a virtual unknown he was forced into the lineup due to a rash of injuries and quickly ingratiated himself with the fan base with a workmanlike attitude and a willingness to tackle any job then-defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz put in front of him.
Another cornerback from 2020, Nickell Robey-Coleman, is still an unrestricted free agent as are left tackle Jason Peters and wide receiver Alshon Jeffery.
Affectionately known as “Strap,” the 5-foot-10, pound LeBlanc is a natural slot cornerback but always competed even when forced to play outside the numbers against bigger, lengthier, and faster players.
He ended up playing two-plus years with the Eagles, toiling in 21 games with six starts plus another three postseason games.
Clearly, the Eagles were ready to move on despite a secondary that remains a question mark.
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LeBlanc's biggest moment as an Eagles player came in the divisional round of the playoffs in New Orleans after the 2018 season when he picked off a pass from future Hall of Famer quarterback Drew Brees.
LeBlanc himself then finally confirmed the move on social media when he thanked the Eagles.
"I want to Thank the entire Philadelphia Eagles organization for taking a chance on me back in 2018 giving me an opportunity to prove and showcase what I could do on the field," LeBlanc wrote on social media. "It was definitely fun while it lasted.
"... with that being said I will be taking my talents to South Beach!!!"
The Eagles have a number of options to play in the slot this season with Avonte Maddox, trade pickup Josiah Scott and fourth-round draft pick Zech McPhearson.
John McMullen contributes Eagles coverage for SI.com's EagleMaven and is the NFL Insider for JAKIB Media. You can listen to John, alongside legendary sports-talk host Jody McDonald every morning from 8-10 on ‘Birds 365,” streaming live on both PhillyVoice.com and YouTube. John is also the host of his own show "Extending the Play" on AM1490 in South Jersey. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen
Ed Kracz is the publisher of SI.com’s Eagle Maven and co-host of the Eagles Unfiltered Podcast. Check out the latest Eagles news at www.SI.com/NFL/Eagles and please follow him on Twitter: @kracze.
