Philadelphia Eagles NFL Draft profile: Alabama CB Patrick Surtain

At six-foot-two and 200 pounds, Alabama Crimson Tide cornerback Patrick Surtain II has the size, speed, and skill set that could help the Philadelphia Eagles defense. Blessed with a quick twitch in coverage, he has the look of a future star as he continues to rise in the 2021 NFL Draft’s rankings. He could be the upgrade Philly’s defense needs.

The Philadelphia Eagles need help on the corners of their defense and despite trading for Darius Slay, the need to upgrade is still an obvious one. Arguably the best defender on that power-packed Alabama defense, Surtain, like Slay, has the ability to take the opposing team’s best receiver out of the equation.

He also has the potential to be a difference-maker for the Eagles or any other team that was to land him. As good as he is in coverage, what really jumps out at you when you study the film on the Florida native is his willingness to help in the running game. He has an aggressive nature to him and never shies away from contact.

Here’s yet another quote that could interest the Philadelphia Eagles’ fans.

We at ITI reached out to a scouting source and asked him his thoughts on Surtain. He didn’t want to be mentioned by name but this is what he had to say:

"I like this kid a ton. It’s hard not to like what he brings to the football field, with his great size and ball skills. I think we could be talking about a guy who is the best corner in the draft this year and to me, no one’s a close second. I like Jaycee Horn, the kid from South Carolina. He would be the closest but to me, Surtain is my guy."

Are you loving what you’re hearing? Don’t worry. There’s more.

"You (can) put him on an island and forget about him. He’s that good really. He’s a guy that will help in the running game and take away the best wideout on (an opposing team on a week-to-week basis). I like what I see from him, and I think he only gets better. I think we are talking about him as a real All-Pro (and) not too long from now. If I had to guess, and that is what a lot of projection is a guess, I think he ends up being a real superstar at the next level. If I am the Philadelphia Eagles sitting at number six in the draft, I am sprinting to the podium if he is still available."

As mentioned, the Philadelphia Eagles are in need of an upgrade at cornerback, and if they’re in a position to land a player like Patrick Surtain II, they need to do whatever it takes to get that done. He’s been blessed with a great football IQ, great footwork, speed, and the versatility to be utilized in different positions on the football field. He’d be the only reason that the Eagles don’t go with a wide receiver at pick number six.