A Closer Look at the Top Cornerbacks That Could Interest Eagles in First Round
Eagles mock draft 1.0 raised some eyebrows, and some good social media conversations, when I elected to take Texas RB Bijan Robinson with the Eagles’ first pick at No. 10 then coming back with edge rusher Will McDonald from Iowa State with OL Cody Mauch of North Dakota State in the second round.
I realize I’m swimming upstream here with this pick.
What’s even more difficult to explain is no cornerback.
That’s what the Eagles need, though they claim they don’t draft for need.
Still, there are plenty of good corners in this draft and the Eagles would have taken Jaycee Horn or Patrick Surtain if they didn’t fly off the board before they had a chance to grab one of them in the 2021 draft.
So, they shifted gears, moved up two spots, and grabbed DeVonta Smith.
Win-win all around, except the Eagles still need a CB, and they come in all shapes and sizes and certainly could be the selection at No. 10, or even No. 30, the Eagles’ second of their two first-round selections.
Here’s a closer look at the corners, with NFL draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah’s ranking in his top 50 prospects list 2.0.
Illinois CB Devon Witherspoon defends against Penn State's Jahan Dotson in 2021
USA Today
DEVON WITHERSPOON, ILLINOIS, 5
A consensus All-American last year and the Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year.
What Jeremiah said: “Witherspoon is a lean, rangy cornerback with outstanding quickness, instincts and ball skills. He is at his best in off coverage, where he is quick to read and drive on the ball. ...He plays with an attitude and plenty of energy. He is aggressive as a tackler.”
Comparison: Samari Rolle
JOEY PORTER, PENN STATE, 12
Like football genes? Porter’s dad, also named Joey, played 13 seasons as a linebacker, earned All-Pro once and was named to four Pro Bowls.
What Jeremiah said: "I wish he would finish a little bit better, catch more of them, but he is always in a good position. Even when he is out of phase, his length allows him to close that down. Takes him about three steps to build the speed, but once he gets those three steps going, he is rolling.”
Comparison: Dre Kirkpatrick
Christian Gonzalez
USA Today
CHRISTIAN GONZALEZ, OREGON, 13
Like improvement? Gonzalez has gotten better each season. After spending two seasons at Colorado, he transferred to Oregon for one season and had the first four interceptions of his career.
What Jeremiah said: “Tall and fluid cornerback with excellent ball skills. He is physical in press coverage, but can easily flip his hips and stay in position down the field. ...In off-coverage, he isn't super twitchy on his plant-and-drive; he's more of a smooth mover than a dynamic/explosive closer. He is a very willing and physical tackler against the run.”
Comparison: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
Emmanuel Forbes
USA Today
EMMANUEL FORBES, MISSISSIPPI STATE, 38
Want production? He had three pick-six touchdowns last year and 14 in his career. Though played at 175, he hopes to get to 185 by next season. After DeVonta Smith’s excellence the past two seasons after having his weight questioned, what’s the big deal?
What Jeremiah said: “He doesn't have any wasted movement and is always under control. In man coverage, he can press and mirror underneath while possessing enough speed to carry vertical routes. He does an outstanding job of playing the pocket at the catch point and poking the ball away downfield. He needs to improve his tackling, though, as he has too many fly-by misses.”
Comparison: Cam Dantzler
Ji'ayir Brown
USA Today
JI’AYIR BROWN, PENN STATE, 40
Want more production? How about versatility? Brown can play safety, corner, and in the slot. He had 4.5 Sacks last year, four interceptions, and 74 tackles.
What Jeremiah said: “An explosive athlete who was utilized all over the Nittany Lions defense in 2022. He lines up in the deep half, deep middle, in the box, and in the slot. He has outstanding range and instincts against the pass, with the ability to match up with, and mirror, TEs all over the field. He is fluid in his movement and his cornerback background shows up when matched with wideouts in the slot."
Comparison: Ryan Clark
Maryland's Deonte Banks (right) defends
USA Today
DEONTE BANKS, MARYLAND, 42
You like physicality? Banks has it in a frame that stretch to 6-2 and 205 pounds.
What Jeremiah said: “He doesn't take plays off. He is a physical and reliable tackler in space. Overall, Banks doesn't have ideal fluidity, but he's tough and possesses ball skills.
Comparison: N/A
Kelee Ringo
USA Today
KELEE RINGO, GEORGIA, 45
Want speed? Ringo has it thanks to a track background. He will run the 40 at the Combine on Friday. Stay tuned.
The Eagles reportedly had a formal meeting with Ringo.
“...just continue to work on my technique and in my explosiveness throughout the game, as well as using it in football,” Ringo said on Thursday.
“Man, I've been running since I was a kid and I feel like that's one of my strengths of course in the specific game of football and also running out there in the 40 so I feel like I definitely have something to show.”
What Jeremiah said: “Overall, Ringo is a work in progress. His success will depend on what he's asked to do at the next level. I wouldn't rule out a move to safety.”
Tyrique Stevenson
USA Today
TYRIQUE STEVENSON, MIAMI, FELL OUT OF TOP 50 IN 2.0 VERSION
You like trash talk? Stevenson can do it.
What Jeremiah said: “Stevenson is a big, outside cornerback prospect with outstanding speed and aggression. His tape features a lot of ups and downs. He takes chances, which leads to splash plays on the ball. ...He likes to instigate and talk on the field. Overall, I love Stevenson's energy and toughness. He just needs to play with a little more caution and poise.”
Comparison: James Bradberry
Ed Kracz is the publisher of SI.com’s Fan Nation Eagles Today and co-host of the Eagles Unfiltered Podcast. Check out the latest Eagles news at www.SI.com/NFL/Eagles or www.eaglestoday.com and please follow him on Twitter: @kracze.
