2015 Draft Prep: Cornerbacks

The Eagles overhauled the cornerback position in the off-season, parting with both starters in Williams and Fletcher. Boykin is on the last year of his rookie deal and could be traded between now and the conclusion of the draft. So where does that leave the Eagles?

“Two” cornerbacks currently on the roster are signed beyond the upcoming season. Byron Maxwell who received a very lucrative contract is going to hold down one of the cornerback positions for the immediate future. Who mans the other corner position?

Thurmond, Watkins, Boykin and Carroll were all names listed by Chip Kelly as potential starters at cornerback this season. Did the head coach really say Boykin? Funny Chip, nobody is going to believe that, as both you and Davis have gone out of your way to label what Boykin can do in the NFL based on his size.
The “likely” candidates are Thurmond, Watkins and Carroll.

If Watkins is not going to shift to safety, he is my guy to start this season opposite of Maxwell. I really liked Watkins coming out of Florida. His combination of speed and athleticism would be a nice compliment to the skill-set Maxwell brings to the team. The problem with Watkins is we don’t know what he can do, instead of getting that sample size last year when Fletcher was getting torched on a weekly basis; Watkins remained on the bench until week 17. With the hefty price the Eagles are shelling out for Maxwell on a yearly basis, it would benefit the Eagles to have the other starting cornerback on a very manageable rookie deal pay scale.

With the injuries to our linebackers last year, Carroll ended up playing a specific “role” for the Eagles, a lot of linebacker like duty in dime packages. I like the size that Carroll brings and I thought a move to safety was a possibility, but Chip said he is keeping him at corner. Carroll has decent speed at the cornerback position, but I don’t see him being a long term solution as a starter, I’d keep him in that 4th CB role. Thurmond is alright, but I’m not sure how I feel with him as a starting corner for this team, I’d be just fine with him taking over as the nickel corner if Boykin is traded.

This is merely my take on the current Eagles cornerback position. Even if the Eagles were to select a cornerback early in the draft, I can’t see them starting this season.

So where to draft one, or possibly two?

Trae Waynes is the number one cornerback in this draft class, but unless the Eagles plan to move up, he will be gone before they make their selection.

There are so many different projections with the players who fill out the top five at the cornerback position. Even the second best corner in the draft, mixed opinions across the board.

There have been a few guys slated in the first two rounds that have already visited the Eagles, one of which is Byron Jones who I have the Eagles selecting in my mock draft 1.0. This is quite a “reach” for Jones. He had a ridiculous showing at the combine, but as an Eagle fan, I know that a superior combine workout can lead to very bad things; Mike Mamula is embedded in my memory.

Chip taking him at pick #20 in my first mock draft was merely going off of the notion that Chip has tunnel vision and is blinded by the combine and measurable a lone.

I personally think Jones has an early to mid-second round grade but there is better than a 50/50 chance he ends up selected in round one. His film isn’t all that impressive and the competition faced isn’t the greatest. What he has going for him is the combine workout and the experience at the cornerback and safety position.

If Chip wanted to move up in round two to take Jones, I’m alright with that. I’d even understand if he moved to the end of round one and picked up a draft pick and then took Jones, just not at pick #20.

Would I draft a cornerback in round 1? I wouldn’t, but if we could get one by trading back and getting another pick, there is some value there. I personally feel that if Watkins was unable to find playing time as a rookie, what good is it to then use a high pick on a cornerback with three to four other players already battling it out for the other starting spot.
Round 1

Trae Waynes (Michigan State)- He will be long gone by the time the Eagles pick.

Jalen Collins (LSU)- why couldn’t he hold down the starting job for the entire season? That question a lone has me a bit nervous of his ceiling in the NFL.
Kevin Johnson (Wake Forest)- Decent across the board, little “wow” factor that grabs my attention.

Round 1/2

Byron Jones (UCONN)-He can jump far and high, but can he cover the best of the best at the NFL level?
Marcus Peters (Washington)-Character issues, but there is some noticeable talent in his game.

Round 2

Eric Rowe (Utah)-I also listed in the available safeties as well. This guy keeps climbing and climbing because of his versatility. I’d like him if he “fell” to the Eagles in round 2, but I’m not looking to trade up for him.
Quinten Rollins (Miami (Ohio)-The guy is extremely athletic, but only one year as a football player.
Ronald Darby (Florida State)- He is fast, but may only find immediate success in certain packages due to routes he takes and miss tackles.

Round 3

Carter –Stanford-We know Chip likes the Stanford kids. Carter needs to fill out his frame a bit. A few Chip Kelly smoothies would take care of that.

Round 4

Jacoby Glenn-UCF- I really like this kid despite a poor showing at the combine.
Craig Mager -Texas State

Round 5

Randall Evans-Kansas State
Darryl Roberts-Marshall

Round 6

Damian Swann -Georgia
Nick Marshall -Auburn
Ladarius Gunter-Miami (Fla.)

Round 7

Cam Thomas -Western Kentucky
Justin Coleman -Tennessee
Julian Wilson-Oklahoma