NFL Mock Draft Roundup: Steady cornerback theme continues for Eagles
Mocking a cornerback to the Eagles is easy, but a consensus player at pick 22 still can't be reached by draft experts.
By Tommy Jaggi
As soon as the Eagles' brief playoff run ended, it was easy to pinpoint their top needs. The biggest issue for Philadelphia during the 2023 season was their complete inability to slow down the opposing passing game, and their cornerbacks were a big problem.
After suffering through the James Bradberry and Eli Ricks last season, many would have assumed the Eagles would have done more to improve the position during the 2024 free agency period. Apart from signing former Raiders CB Tyler Hall, that hasn't been the case.
With just weeks remaining until the 2024 NFL Draft, the Eagles have a glaring need for a cornerback to pair with Darius Slay in the secondary (and every draft analyst knows it). Here's what the experts have Philly doing at pick 22 in the latest Eagles mock draft roundup.
Eagles mock draft roundup: Throwing darts at cornerback
Lance Zierlein, NFL.com: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
Nate Wiggins has been a player frequently mocked to the Eagles throughout the pre-draft process. Howie Roseman loves exceptional athletes, and the Clemson product fits the bill. Wiggins needs to put on weight and improve his consistency at the top of routes, but he's got sticky man-coverage ability to develop into a lockdown CB at the next level.
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
Entering April, Kool-Aid McKinstry has been the most frequently mocked player to the Philadelphia Eagles this year, according to NFL Mock Draft Database. It's not hard to figure out why. McKinstry comes from a big football program and was a former high recruit. It's also safe to assume that 2-3 cornerbacks will likely be off the board when the Eagles make their selection at pick 22, but McKinstry is expected to be on the board at this point.
Tony Pauline, Sportskeeda: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
Tony Pauline has the Eagles ignoring their need at cornerback and taking a swing on a polarizing offensive tackle with elite upside. Tyler Guyton is incredibly raw and needs lots of refinement, but you simply don't get huge, athletic offensive tackles falling to you every year in the back half of the first round. He would serve as a developmental right tackle behind Lane Johnson.
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
Cooper DeJean is a player who continues to make a lot of sense for the Eagles. DeJean has the versatility to line up anywhere in the secondary. With questions at both slot CB and boundary cornerback, DeJean could fill in wherever he's needed in the secondary until Philadelphia discovers where he fits best.
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
It's wishful thinking to believe that a 6'0'' cornerback with 4.33 speed and outstanding college tape will still be on the board at this point -- espeically after Quinyon Mitchell dominated at the Senior Bowl. But crazier things have happened and it's possible that his small-school status at Toledo could have other teams ahead of the Eagles taking a different route. If he's here at this point, Philly should run to the podium to turn in their card for Mitchell.
Keith Sanchez, The Draft Network: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
Like Mitchell, Terrion Arnold is typically mocked ahead of the Eagles' pick in Round 1. Arnold doesn't have one defining size metric or athletic trait that makes him stand out, but the collection of his traits and excellent film at Alabama make him a high-floor prospect who still possesses Pro Bowl potential at the next level.
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