Philadelphia Eagles 2023 mock draft: Way-too-early guesses on Round 1

Kelee Ringo adds to the Philadelphia Eagles secondary.

DeVonta Smith was just 19-years-old when he hauled in the game-winning touchdown pass versus Georgia in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. This past season, Georgia flipped the script with their cornerback Kelee Ringo securing the trophy with a pick-six. Philadelphia has plenty of young cornerbacks on the roster but none of them are proven.

At some point, the Eagles will need to invest in top-tier young talent at the position, and Ringo gives them that. At six-foot-two and 205 pounds, the Bulldogs’ corner provides inside/outside versatility with the ability to mirror wideouts, play bail technique, or play in the flat in cover 2.

Ringo stays patient and doesn’t open up the gate too early when the receiver makes his initial break. The ability to sort out routes in zone was on display but he also got caught with his eyes in the wrong place at times. That’s not uncommon for a 19-year-old starting at cornerback for the first time in the SEC.

The hip fluidity, footwork, and twitch could also use some improvement. Jameson Williams put some moves on him when he was lined up on his side this past January.

Ringo wasn’t perfect, but no cornerback is. A.J. Terrell struggled mightily versus DeVonta Smith in college and in 2021, Terrell’s second NFL season, he earned Second-Team All-Pro honors.

Ringo might not be the top corner in the projected 2023 class right now but with a breakout 2022 season, he could fly up the boards. With another offseason and a full season in Kirby Smart’s defense, he should naturally make some strides.

Georgia’s other 2021 starting corner, Derion Kendrick, is now with the Los Angeles Rams so Ringo will be tested early and often this season. Keep an eye on him as he could give the Eagles a sure-fire answer opposite of Big Play Slay as a potential CB1 down the road. That’s if James Bradberry isn’t extended, of course.