Eric Rowe

Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Eric Rowe catches a pass at the NFL football team's practice facility, Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

(Matt Rourke)

The Eagles have made plenty of moves this offseason, but one of the biggest was without question the decision to trade starting cornerback Byron Maxwell to the Miami Dolphins.

Although Maxwell didn't live up to the high expectations that came with the $63 million contract he signed last offseason, he was still the team's top cornerback, and was expected to cover the top receiver on the opposing team each week.

A role that is now empty -- and could be filled by second-year cornerback Eric Rowe.

"If I do win the starting job," Rowe said to NJ Advance Media, "I am very confident about the season."

Rowe, like the rest of the NFL, was stunned the Eagles moved on from Maxwell after just one season.

"I was shocked," Rowe said of the trade. "I wasn't expecting him to be traded after they just signed him. He was one of the guys who took me under his wing. It hurt to see him go."

A second-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, Rowe started the final five games for the Eagles last season, forced onto the field because of an injury to cornerback Nolan Carroll. The then-rookie's first assignment in the NFL? Covering Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson, a task Rowe understandably struggled with.

From there, however, Rowe's play improved, including a very solid game against the New England Patriots the following week -- a game that boosted the cornerback's confidence and has motivated him this offseason.

"After the Patriots game, when I made a couple of pass breaks up," Rowe said, "I remember that feeling of winning and giving me motivation to get better."

Rowe has been spending his offseason in Florida, partially due to an internship with Fanatics, a clothing company based in Jacksonville.

"They are one of the few companies that show you every aspect of the business." Rowe said. "I learned about marketing, design, how to make the shirts."

The internship has not taken time away from Rowe training for next season, however.

"Get stronger," Rowe said of his goals for this offseason. "Just to get better in man-to-man technique at the line of scrimmage. One thing I found out last season is that if you don't win at the line of scrimmage, you won't win the down."

Even with the re-signing of Nolan Carroll, and the potential selection of Florida cornerback Vernon Hargreaves at No. 8 overall in the 2016 NFL Draft, Rowe knows that he very well could be the top cornerback on the team next season.

"I think I put myself in a position with the Eagles front office as the guy," Rowe said, "who could be the guy next year."

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