Over the last decade, Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has become known as one of the best team-building minds in football. He operates with a different level of creativity than most GMs, consistently setting his team up for success.
One of the hallmarks of Roseman's tenure has been sitting back in the draft and allowing talented players to fall to him. Every April, the Eagles look like bandits after selecting a prospect late in the first round that experts consider to have top-ten value.
In his recent 2026 NFL mock draft, ESPN's Mel Kiper has the Eagles doing it again, grabbing Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell in the first round.
Mel Kiper pairs Eagles with Clemson CB Avieon Terrell in 2026 NFL mock draft
The fit seems obvious. The Eagles are in desperate need of another reliable outside cornerback, and Terrell has the talent to be an instant starter. Kiper broke down his thought process
"The Eagles tried to fix the CB2 position opposite Quinyon Mitchell (Cooper DeJean is in the slot) with trades for Jaire Alexander and Michael Carter II, but neither move did the trick. Carter barely played down the stretch, and Alexander stepped away from football in mid-November. Terrell, though, would be a reliable answer. He broke up nine passes and forced five -- yes, five -- fumbles in 2025. He's terrific in man coverage, and coordinator Vic Fangio had his defense in man 55% of the time this season, third most in the NFL."
Roseman doesn't need to panic or trade up in this draft. While the class lacks top-end talent at some positions, there's plenty of depth at cornerback. Terrell, whose older brother A.J. is a star defender on the Atlanta Falcons, would provide instant value for Philadelphia.
The Clemson product is a bit smaller than the prototypical modern NFL cornerback, but he makes up for it with his impressive athleticism and instincts. It's rare to see a completely blown coverage from the young defender. He has a nose for the football, forcing turnovers at a high rate in college.
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With Terrell, Mitchell, and DeJean on the field together, the Eagles could have one of the most dangerous secondary units in the NFL. Roseman would complete his overhaul of the cornerback room in just three offseasons, setting the franchise up for years of stability at the position even without Christian Parker around. If the Clemson prospect is on the board at the 23rd pick, it would be difficult to pass up on him.