The Eagles should take a CB with their first round pick
14 January 2017 DRAFT Eagles News
Yes, the Eagles need playmakers on offense, there is no denying that. However, there is an even bigger problem at the cornerback position. With a top 15 pick in this year’s draft, the Eagles are in a good position to get one of the top cornerbacks. Without hesitation, that is the player the Eagles need to take.
Firstly, as a unit, PFF ranked the Eagles secondary dead last in the NFL. To be fair, the Eagles safeties, Malcolm Jenkins and Rodney McLeod are not the ones bringing the Eagles score down, it is the cornerbacks.
Leodis McKelvin ranked 79th out of 120 cornerbacks, Nolan Carroll ranked 107th, and Jalen Mills ranked dead last (120). However, I will say this, Mills improved a lot this past season and has a very bright future. But, McKelvin and Carroll offered the Eagles very little. Both are aging cornerbacks who continually got burnt and gave up big plays.
As a team, the Eagles gave up the second most 30-yard plays (27), the fourth most 50-yard plays (7), and the sixth most 20-yard plays (57). McKelvin and Mills ranked first and third in the NFL in yards per snap too.
Obviously, McKelvin is not a good cornerback. Carroll is not the answer either. Mills had a rough rookie season, but each game, he improved immensely. The Eagles need to find a solid number one cornerback, and that player can possibly be there in round one of the draft.
Who are the options?
There are a couple of cornerbacks the Eagles can take with their pick.
Teez Tabor – Florida
Marlon Humphrey – Alabama
Marshon Lattimore – Ohio St.
Sidney Jones – Washington
Cordea Tankersley – Clemson
Quincy Wilson – Florida
(Stay tuned for more in-depth articles on each of these six prospects)