The 10 best cornerbacks in the history of the Philadelphia Eagles

If you're an old-school Philadelphia Eagles fan, you've probably heard the following a time or two. When guys are first introduced to football and we begin slotting them into their respective positions, the 'wide receivers' who lack the softer hands tend to wind up becoming cornerbacks.

Fast forward to the present, and we know that isn't true. Humans have evolved. 300-pound offensive linemen can run the 40-yard dash in just over five seconds. Quarterbacks are among the fastest players on their team, and many corners can play on both sides of the ball if asked.

Just look at two of the recent Eagles draftees, Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. Both are elite athletes that understand the wide receiver route tree. Both can turn a defensive snap into 'instant offense' and six points for their team if they get their hands on the ball.

Have you seen Coop play basketball or return punts?

One day, we hope to see them on a list like this one. Something tells us there is a good chance of happening, but here is our list of the top ten Eagles corners of all time. Here's a spoiler alert. Nnamdi Asomugha won't be earning a spot on the list.

Also read: The top ten QBs in Eagles history

Honorable mention: Sheldon Brown

Tenure: 2002 - 09

Brown was a reliable and consistent starter for Philly (98 starts during 128 in-game appearances). He's probably best remembered for a murderous hit on former Saints star Reggie Bush, but he represents so much more than that. He was a reliable corner who had no issues with being physical, but he was also a great cover guy who notched 19 interceptions with the franchise including three pick-sixes for his career.

We had to mention him because as good as he was, we couldn't slide him into our top ten.

10. Roynell Young

Tenure: 1980 - 88

Roynell Young is one of four men who were taken in Round 1 by the Eagles as defensive backs. He spent nine seasons in Philadelphia, earning a Pro Football Writers Association All-Rookie Team mention (1980) and two postseason awards in 1981, a Second-Team All-Pro mention and a spot on the Pro Bowl roster.

9. Herm Edwards

Tenure: 1977 - 85

We have seen Herm do so many things over the years from coaching to being an analyst, but every time we do so, we smile because we know he's one of us. He's responsible for the scoop and score in that 'Miracle at the Meadowlands' clip. His Eagles tenure never resulted in a Pro Bowl nod, but there are no questions about how solid he was.

He had a nose for the football and notched 33 interceptions in 135 games.

8. Irv Cross

Tenure: 1961 - 65, 1969

The next time you're at a family get-together or reunion, hang out with some of your older relatives and ask them about Irv Cross. You're certain to get a lesson on classic Eagles football.

He sandwiched three seasons with the Los Angeles Rams in between two stints in the City of Brotherly Love. Make no mistake about it. He's an Eagle.

83 games... 72 starts... 1.5 sacks and 16 interceptions while picking up consecutive trips to the Pro Bowl (1964 and 1965).

7. Bobby Taylor

Tenure: 1995 - 03

109 starts in 119 career games as an Eagle, Bobby 'The Blanket' Taylor notched 371 tackles during his career here to go along with four sacks and 19 interceptions. That includes two pick-sixes. He also has 78 career pass breakups and five forced fumbles.

His resume includes a Pro Football Writers Association All-Rookie Team nod (1995) and a phenomenal season in 2002 that resulted in a Second-Team All-Pro mention and a spot on the
Pro Bowl roster.

6. Darius Slay

Tenure: 2020 - present

Six Pro Bowls highlight the resume. Three have come as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles. Whenever Darius Slay gets his hands on the ball, you can best believe he is trying to score six points.

His Eagles career is still seeing its story written. So far, 60 games, 59 starts, nine interceptions, 43 pass breakups, two pick-six TDs, a forced fumble, two fumble returns for TDs, and 223 tackles are what is written on the resume.

In 2021, he led the NFL in fumble return yards (116).

5. Lito Sheppard

Tenure: 2002 - 08

Before the Eagles decided to take Quinyon Mitchell during the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, they hadn't taken a DB in Round 1 in over two decades. You have to look back to 2002 when they acquired Lito Sheppard. Let's just say that turned out to be a decision that worked out for them.

He went on to snag 18 career interceptions including three pick-sixes during 91 games with 61 starts.
Two of which were 101 and 102-yard returns.

He earned a First-Team All-Pro nod (2004) and a spot on a pair of Pro Bowl rosters for his efforts (2004, 2006). He was certainly fun to watch.

4. Asante Samuel

Tenure: 2008 - 11

Asante Samuel spent his first five seasons with the New England Patriots and won two Super Bowls there while earning a First-Team All-Pro mention and Pro Bowl nod there (2007). Then, after inking a six-year, $56 million contract with the Eagles in February of 2008, arguments can be made that he probably got a little better.

His run with the Birds would only last four seasons before he moved on to the Atlanta Falcons, but he left his mark. Three trips to the Pro Bowl (2008-2010), a Second-Team All-Pro nod, and a season where he led the league in interceptions highlight what proved to be a nice stay in Philly.

3. Tom Brookshier

Tenure: 1953, 1956 - 61

Champions are remembered differently, and Tom Brookshier will always be immortalized as a member of the lone team to hand Vince Lombardi and Bart Starr a postseason loss. That team just happened to be the 1960 NFL Championship.

No one will ever wear the Number 40 jersey for Philly again as it is retired thanks to this man's effiorts. He is a two-time Pro Bowl mention (1959, 1960) who earned Second-team All-Pro honors in 1959 before being named to the First Team in 1960.

Brookshier missed the 1954 and 1955 seasons to serve in the United States Air Force. Still, 20 interceptions, two forced fumbles, and eight fumble recoveries highlight a career that landed him in the Eagles Hall of Fame.

2. Troy Vincent

Tenure: 1996 - 2003

Before becoming the NFL's executive vice president of football operations, Troy Vincent was a damn good football player. His voice even carried weight back then. During his playing days, he was just as respected in the Eagles' locker room as Andy Reid. He won the 'Whizzer' White NFL Man of the Year Award in 2002.

A five-time Pro Bowl nod (1999-2003), he tied for the league-lead in interceptions in 1999 (seven). He was a Second-team All-Pro in 2001 and a First-team All-Pro one year later in 2002. He's also a member of the Philadelphia Eagles 75th Anniversary Team and the Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame.

1. Eric Allen

Tenure: 1988 - 94

Here's a confession. We sometimes wonder if an unfair bar will be set for Eagles cornerbacks in terms of Pro Football Hall of Fame consideration because if Eric Allen is still waiting to be enshrined, it's hard to determine what must be done to please the voters.

His continued snub by Canton is unacceptable.

Now, that we have that out of the way, let's talk legacy and numbers. Allen has set the bar for every corner that wears the Eagles uniform after him. He snagged 54 career interceptions (34 in an Eagles uniform), two more than Champ Bailey and 25 more than Darrelle Revis.

Eight of those picks were returned for six points (five in Philly). He recorded three postseason INTs with Philly. One of those was a pick-six. He notched 408 tackles in Eagles Green and 787 for his career.

A First-Team All-Pro in 1989 and a two-time Second-Team All-Pro in 1991 and 1993, he earned Pro Football Writers Association All-Rookie Team honors in 1988, six Pro Bowl mentions (five with Philly), and a spot on the Eagles 75th Anniversary Team.

He's a member of the Eagles Hall of Fame, his continued and aforementioned Canton snub makes us question whether or not there is collusion, but there's no doubt about it. They don't come any better than Eriz Allen, in this era or any other.