Philadelphia Eagles: 10 cornerback prospects still available on Day 2
By Ryan Quigley
The Philadelphia Eagles still need to draft a cornerback. Luckily, there are plenty of talented corners available on Day 2 of the NFL Draft.
Some Philadelphia Eagles fans may be a little upset that the team didn’t use their No. 14 overall pick on a cornerback. Philadelphia certainly can’t go forward with Jalen Mills and Patrick Robinson as their starting corners, can they? That seems highly unlikely.
But have no fear. There are plenty of talented corners still available on the second day of the 2017 NFL Draft. Here are 10 options for the Eagles.
Sidney Jones, Washington
Jones is a first-round talent, but an injury suffered during his pro day caused his draft stock to plummet. If the Eagles are willing to be patient with his recovery, Jones would make a great pick in the second or even third round.
Chidobe Awuzie, Colorado
Awuzie is a quick, physical corner with good size who could come right in and immediately make an impact for the Eagles. According to USA Today’s Turron Davenport, Awuzie feels he and the Eagles are a match made in Heaven. Jim Schwartz would love Awuzie on his defense.
Kevin King, Washington
At 6’3″, King has rare size for a corner, which just about any team should be able to fall in love with. It’s a surprise he wasn’t taken in the first round. If King is available during the Eagles’ second-round selection, they’d be crazy not to take the towering defensive back.
Quincy Wilson, Florida
Wilson has good size and plays the kind of game Jim Schwartz would fall in love with. Some view him as more of a safety than a corner, which is partially why he’s fallen so far in the draft. But if the Eagles want a bully to torment opposing wideouts at the line of scrimmage, Wilson could be their guy.
Teez Tabor, Florida
The other half of Florida’s outstanding 2016 cornerback tandem is one of the more technically sound corners available. Unfortunately, his slow 40-yard dash time (4.62) at the combine is a major red flag. The Eagles need speed in the secondary and Tabor won’t provide that.
Corn Elder, Miami
From a pure talent standpoint, Elder is one of the best corners in the draft. The only thing keeping him from being a first-round selection is his height. At just 5’10”, it’s fair to wonder how he’ll be able to perform against bigger receivers at the next level. But his tape doesn’t lie. Elder can play and the Eagles should be thrilled if they get him.
Fabian Moreau, UCLA
Moreau, a former running back, is one of the fastest corners available in the draft. With 4.35 speed, it’ll be awfully hard to beat him deep. While he is raw, he’s also an incredibly poised player who won’t get shaken easily.
Jourdan Lewis, Michigan
Lewis is small for a corner, but he certainly doesn’t lack confidence. On the football field, he’s a menace. Off the field, he’s a problem. Lewis was recently involved in a domestic violence incident with his girlfriend. Would the Eagles be willing to take a chance on him?
Ahkello Witherspoon, Colorado
Witherspoon, 6’3″, 198 pounds, is terrific in coverage and could contend for a starting job on the outside if drafted by the Eagles. Last season, he allowed a completion percentage of just 26.5. Philadelphia could certainly use a cover corner with his track record.
Shaquill Griffin, UCF
Griffin certainly has the athleticism to exceed at the next level. He put on a show at the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine, recording a 4.38 40-yard dash, a 132-inch broad jump and a 38.5-inch vertical. For those who love athletic freaks, Witherspoon is you man.
Damontae Kazee, San Diego State
Kazee is another corner whose stock has fallen due to his size (just 5’10”), but that shouldn’t scare off the Eagles. In four seasons at San Diego State, Kazee recorded 17 interceptions. Of those 17 picks, 15 of them were recorded over the last two seasons. The Eagles need a game-changing corner and Kazee definitely fits that description.