Eagles have two top-tier prospects in Derek Stingley, Ahmad Gardner

Here’s a question… or two. When you were watching every remaining member of the Philadelphia Eagles‘ 2018 NFL Draft class ink extensions EXCEPT for Avonte Maddox, how many of you got nervous? From September to November, Jordan Mailata, Josh Sweat, and Dallas Goedert all got richer while we watched Maddox evolve into one of the better players on Philly’s defense. That extension never seemed to come, prompting some of us to wonder if he was in this team’s long-term plans.

Avonte’s day came though. He got his money, ironically, one day after his best friend and roommate Dallas Goedert got his. Now, they can afford to get places of their own (if they choose to), but with Darius Slay locked up through the 2022 regular season and Maddox now signed through 2024, the Birds feel comfortable with one of their outside cornerback spots and their starting slot guy.

The immediate question is what happens at that other outside position opposite Darius Slay? Steven Nelson was only signed for one season. Philadelphia drafted Zech McPhearson in the most recent selection meeting, but they don’t seem to trust him yet.

We’ve also seen this team add a slew of young talent over the past few months: Mac McCain, Tay Gowan, Josiah Scott, Kary Vincent Jr., Andre Chachere. You also can’t forget about Craig James either. He’s on the practice squad. Next year’s cornerback competition will be interesting, especially seeing as how the Eagles could also draft a cornerback.

The Eagles potentially have a shot at landing Derek Stingley or Ahmad Gardner.

By now, you’ve probably set up your draft boards in your minds, and you’ve slotted who you believe to be the top cover guys after an intriguing season of college football.

Trent McDuffie is probably on your list if Sidney Jones didn’t turn you off of Washington cornerbacks entirely. Josh Jobe and Roger McCreary are solid, but they’re small. Kaiir Elam has a bigger frame, but he’s slow. Derek Stingley and Ahmad Gardner a.k.a. Sauce seem to be the cream of this year’s crop.

The former hasn’t played much over the past two seasons, ten games to be exact The latter hopes to help his Cincinnati Bearcats team shock the world in the College Football Playoff.

Stingley has 73 tackles, six interceptions, and two forced fumbles on his 25-game college football resume. Gardner had tallied 94 tackles, 3.5 sacks, nine picks, and 16 pass breakups at the close of the 2021 NCAA season. Both are immediate upgrades.

The Eagles are on schedule to indeed walk into the 2022 NFL Draft with three first-round picks. Neither of these guys will be available in Round 2. The only question is whether or not they’ll be available when the Eagles are on the clock if Philadelphia, the Indianapolis Colts, and the Miami Dolphins keep winning.