7 low-key second-round options for the Eagles in the 2022 NFL Draft

Akayleb Evans could be a solid option for the Eagles in Round 2 but only on certain conditions.

We’ve been so hyper-focused on Derek Stingley, Ahmad ‘Sauce’ Gardner, Trent McDuffie,  Kyler Gordon, and Andrew Booth Jr. that no one is mentioning Akayleb Evans. Maybe we should be mentioning him a little more often.

In 2021, he added 28 tackles, an interception, two forced fumbles, and six pass breakups to the Missouri Tigers’ cause. He has the size to line up with those big NFL receivers at six-foot-one and 201 pounds. That’s the good news.

The bad news is this. After running a 4.46-second 40-yard dash, the confidence is there that he should be able to cause issues as a solid backup that grows into a starting role, but there are also theories that state he’d have to do it for a team that likes to run a lot of zone coverage because there are questions about whether or not he possesses the elite footwork to keep up with guys in man coverage.

That’s okay though. At this stage, most of these cornerback prospects have a deficiency that they’ll need to work on. That’s why NFL teams hire position coaches. Evans may not quite be where Roger McCreary and Kaiir Elam are in terms of development, but if he isn’t, he doesn’t trail them by much. This could be a quality pick in Round 2 but only if Philly trades back.

The questions are about whether or not they should. Once they’re on the board in Round 2, they should have solid options at 51 if they choose to stay put and make a selection there.