The Philadelphia Eagles already have one of the best groups of cornerbacks in the NFL. Cooper DeJean, Quinyon Mitchell, and Tariq Woolen are capable of shutting down even the most dynamic wide receivers. Why not add one more?
ESPN draft expert Jordan Reid did exactly that in his latest 2027 mock draft. He paired Mississippi State cornerback Kelley Jones with the Eagles at pick No. 22.
Reid said, "Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean are in line for big paydays, so the Eagles could use some cost-affordable secondary options."
Eagles replace Tariq Woolen with Mississippi State CB Kelley Jones in 2027 mock draft
Woolen is on a one-year deal. While the Eagles may choose to bring him back after the 2026 season, both Mitchell and DeJean will need major contract extensions soon. General manager Howie Roseman may be hesitant to invest so much cap space into one position. If that's the case, it would make sense to spend an early draft pick on another cornerback.
Jones is the prototypical outside cornerback. He's six-foot-four with the wingspan to swat away any pass thrown into his area. He has surprisingly refined coverage skills for a player of his size and allowed the lowest catch rate of any cornerback in the SEC last season.
He announced himself in 2025 with two interceptions and nine pass deflections. With another year of similar production, he could solidify his position as a first-round prospect in a talented draft class.
As Reid mentioned, Jones and Woolen have fairly similar skill sets. Both cornerbacks use their height and speed to blanket receivers in man coverage, and both are prone to allowing big plays at times. The Mississippi State prospect would be a solid replacement for Woolen, especially if Woolen outperforms his contract this season.
Of course, there are other areas to address on Philadelphia's roster. The offensive line is aging quickly, making a developmental offensive tackle an intriguing option. Safety is still a concern, though increased work there from DeJean could help cover up some of the weakness. And as uncomfortable as the conversation may be, the Eagles are nearing a decision point with quarterback Jalen Hurts.
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But adding a player like Jones to the roster would give Nick Sirianni the most physically imposing cornerback group in the NFL. If the Eagles want to keep investing in one of their biggest strengths, this is a solid option.
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