They Eagles are going to have some competition in their attempt to keep cornerback Patrick Robinson -- and it will be coming from within their own division.

The Giants are interested in signing free agent cornerback Patrick Robinson, a person familiar with the situation has informed NJ Advance Media. The team has a major need at nickel cornerback after the decision to move Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie at safety.

Signing Robinson would not only fill that need, but it would also hurt the Eagles' secondary.

The Eagles are deep at cornerback, but as previously reported by NJ Advance Media, they have still shown interest in bringing back Robinson. Although they have young cornerbacks on the roster, Robinson is easily their best nickel cornerback.

Robinson had a stellar season with the Eagles, turning into their best cornerback after a shaky start to training camp. The veteran signed a one-year, $1 million deal with the Eagles last offseason, and that bet on himself paid off as he is now considered one of the top cornerbacks available on the open market.

Robinson played in all 16 games for the Eagles, finishing the season with 47 tackles, 18 passes defended and four interceptions. His interception in the NFC Championship game that he brought back for a touchdown turned the game in the Eagles' favor and was arguably the biggest play of the game.

NFL free agency begins on March 14, with teams permitted to contact the agents of players set to become free agents on March 12.

If the Eagles don't lock up Robinson before then, the Giants will be calling -- and it is possible they could end up losing their best cornerback from the 2017 season to a division rival.

Eliot Shorr-Parks may be reached at eshorrpa@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @EliotShorrParks. Find NJ.com Eagles on Facebook.