Rookie Cornerbacks Philadelphia Eagles Should Consider
Nov 29, 2014; University Park, PA, USA; Michigan State Spartans cornerback Trae Waynes (15) intercepts a pass intended for Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Chris Godwin (12) in the second quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Last week I highlighted the struggles in the 2014-15 season’s second worst ranked Philadelphia Eagles secondary, and took a look at free agent cornerbacks the team should examine. This week I evaluate the fairly deep rookie cornerback class the Eagles should consider with their 20th pick in the 2015 draft. It’s possible that neither starting cornerback Cary Williams nor Bradley Fletcher returns next season, so the Eagles must improve their performance through free agency or the draft. Additionally, the signing of new defensive backs coach Cory Undlin is an indicator that an overhaul is underway. The Eagles rookie prospects are as follows:
Marcus Peters (University of Washington)
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has the Eagles taking Peters, but I don’t like this pick for Philadelphia. The 5-foot-11 193 pound Peters fared well against top competition throughout his collegiate career, and he is a ball-hawking corner who aggressively attacks opponents and never shies away from hitting. However, Marcus lacks ideal size to match up against big wide receiver beasts like Dallas Cowboys Dez Bryant, and Peters was dismissed from the University of Washington football program for reported run-ins with his coaches. Eagles head coach Chip Kelly has proven that he will not tolerate players who refuse to check their egos and put the team first, so I wonder if the former Huskies CB would clash with Philadelphia’s coaches from the get go.
Trae Waynes (Michigan State)
I believe Waynes will develop into a very good NFL caliber cornerback. The 6-foot-1 186 pound former Spartan has length, tackles well, and can play in both a press man (which he played at Michigan) and Cover 2 formations. While he may not be the most athletically gifted corner in the 2015 draft, in my opinion he makes up for it with patience and fluid coverage ability. I believe Waynes would fit in well with defensive coordinator Bill Davis’ 3-4 scheme.
Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (Oregon)
Ekpre-Olomu chose to return to Oregon for his senior year instead of opting for the 2014 draft where many believe he would have been one of if not the top pick. The choice may have cost him as he suffered a knee injury and he is currently rehabbing in southern California. While questions about his health will be answered at the February 17-23rd NFL Combine, his on-field accomplishments are solid. At 5-foot-10 195 pounds, Ifo does not have ideal size but he has absolutely no problem throwing his body around in run defense. From a coverage perspective, Ekpre-Olomu uses his vision, timing, and hand-eye coordination to track the ball generating 18 takeaways (9 ints. 8 forced fumbles) throughout his collegiate career. Ifo can also play in press or off man coverage, and if he can prove that his knee is fully recovered would be a nice pick for the Eagles.
Senquez Golson (Ole Miss)
Golson had the second most interceptions in the nation (9) in 2014. His smaller 5’ 9” 176 pound frame may not be an ideal fit for Chip Kelly’s Eagles, but he has outstanding coverage ability, ball skills, and is a great athlete. Golson played primarily zone in college, so teams will be interested to see how he fares in man coverage especially against tall NFL receivers.
Ronald Darby (Florida State)
While Darby stands at 5-foot-11, he has a big frame at 195 pounds. The junior had an outstanding collegiate career at Florida State and many believe he is just scratching the surface of his full potential. Darby has extraordinary speed and has a great ability to jam wide receivers at the line of scrimmage. He has good patience in off coverage and attacks the ball in the air. Two areas scouts say Darby needs to improve are his physicality in run support and he only had two interceptions in three seasons as a Seminole.
While the Eagles struggled in the defensive backfield last season, there are plenty of veteran free agent and rookie draft prospects for Philadelphia to evaluate and improve their team. Coach Undlin is in a good position to overhaul Philadelphia’s secondary with the talent that is available to him, and Eagles fans should be excited about what the future could hold with improved cornerback play.