It’s always interesting to look at Eagles’ consensus mocks this time of year to see what people want. A month ago, CB was leading, but now after a couple of quiet games from Adoree Jackson, CB has been replaced by TE Kenyon Sadiq, EDGEs Cashius Howell or TJ Parker, and WR Denzel Boston topping lists.
But CB2 is still probably the biggest need for the Eagles, especially when we are talking about where you are likely to get good players.
If you’ve followed me for a while, you know I say that of all positions, CB is the one where you really MUST get in the draft. Good, young CBs under control for multiple years almost never hit free agency and if you can trade for them, the price is usually two 1sts (Jalen Ramsey and Sauce Gardner are the two examples).
How will Howie likely be thinking about CB2 after this season?
- There will be 2-3 open CB spots – Adoree will be 31 and a free agent, Michael Carter II will be released due to his cap number, who knows on Jakorian, and I’m pretty sure Kelee’s chances at a starting job are done
- Howie won’t go into the draft with a need that forces his pick, so expect a veteran rental signing no matter what
- While I hope for a CB pick, he won’t force a pick and will likely also be looking for OL, EDGE, and probably WR.
Free agent options for CB2
Howie will absolutely bring in somebody, but I’d fall over if it wasn’t another 1-year rental – they just aren’t going to have a lot of cap space to get a long-term solution the options are limited (as always).
The ones that won’t actually hit free agency:
- Eric Stokes – 27 years old and a very solid CB but LV will surely re-sign him
The good but expensive options:
- Jamel Dean – $13-15M AAV
- Jaylen Watson – $15-17M AAV
The decent but likely overpriced options:
- Riq Woolen – $14-16M AAV
- Cam Taylor-Britt – $13-15M AAV
- Alontae Taylor – $10-12M AAV
- Nahshon Wright – $10-12M AAV
- Cordale Flott – $9-11M AAV
The older guy options:
- Chidobe Awuzie – 31 years old
- Rasul Douglas – 31
- Ahkello Witherspoon – 31
A rental could be Howie’s solution (again) for 2026 if the draft doesn’t work out.
Looking to the draft for CB2
Couple of things that are always good to keep in mind on CBs:
- CB is one of the most heavily drafted positions, with an average of 4 being taken in R1 and 9 by the end of R2
- Hit rates are low, a lot of CBs drafted high don’t work out
- Only 5-7 above average CBs are drafted every year which has been pretty consistent
They get drafted quickly and only a half dozen good ones (starter quality) come out each year. And it’s hard to get them in free agency. So, you draft them early.
I spent the past few weeks watching CB prospects and the Eagles will have some options come April. Here’s where I have guys, who I like for Philly, and who I don’t. Like most years, if you want a corner, look for one early… but there are two that should definitely be available when the Eagles pick.
The corners we need some luck to get
Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
Consensus EDP: 16
My headline: Pray he drops some, if he does you 100% trade up
I dream of teams trying to throw on a secondary of Quinyon, Coop, Mukuba, Jermod, and whoever is the other safety. He’s my CB1 in this class.
He’s clearly a top 10-15 pick but could he fall and be in play with a trade up? His situation reminds me somewhat of Will Johnson last year. Both had some questions on their testing speed (but I don’t see it on film), both had injury concerns coming into the draft (Jermod missed all of the 2024 season with an ACL), both had absolutely everything you want in a high CB pick. Will inexplicably fell to 47.
His 2024 was really good. A rare corner that is equally good in man or zone, he is special when the ball is in the air and his past receiver background probably helps that. He has the hips and aggressive mentality that CBs need.
I don’t expect Jermod to fall to the mid-20s , but what if Mansoor (maybe the safer pick) goes CB1 and a CB-needy team passes on Jermod for somebody like Avieon Terrell, similar to last year with Jahdae Barron going first?
If Jermod goes third, the Eagles most likely could get him. Over the past 5 drafts, CB3 has averaged getting taken at pick 25, going picks 47 (Will), 30 (Nate Wiggins), 17 (Christian Gonzalez), 21 (Trent McDuffie), and 22 (Caleb Farley).
There are usually only 1-2 guys I’d trade up in R1 for and Jermod is one of them this year. Using their first 3rd (from the Jets), the Eagles could move up to around 16-18.. using their compensatory pick at 98 would get them up to around 20. You gladly send one of those picks for him.
Mansoor Delane, LSU
Consensus Pick: 15
My headline: We don’t have to worry, we can watch him go way ahead of us…
Yes, of course you take him, but I don’t think we will have to worry about that – Mansoor is the safest CB in this class and will go too high for us. I wouldn’t be surprised if he went in the top 10-12.
I do have him CB2, but it’s splitting hairs between him and Jermod. Mansoor has put up gaudy numbers: a 26.7 passer rating allowed in 2025, he gets his hands on the ball 29% of targets, and didn’t allow over 41 yards in a game this season. He also has the hips and fluidity you want to see.
Complaints will be picky, but he doesn’t have the physicality that Jermod does. He’s great in man coverage and very good, but not great, in zone. He does give up a good amount of yards after the catch (averaging over 7 YAC per reception which is a lot) which is probably my biggest issue.
He’s honestly the safer pick but I don’t think he has the ceiling that Jermod does.
The most realistic options for us
We need some luck to get Jermod or Mansoor, even if Howie is willing to trade up. But here are two guys I really like and should be available at our first two picks.
Colton Hood, Tennessee
Consensus Pick: 30
My headline: Probably the top CB that will realistically be available when the Eagles pick
Hood is this year’s Trey Amos. A lot of similarities between them – similar sizes, aggressive, and have all the traits you want. But both will show you their good and bad early on as both need some development.
Really like him in press and he closes well. He’s around the receiver all the time and tackles well. Last year the concern was tackling but he not only cleaned that up, but turned it into a strength. Fluid.
He at times doesn’t get his head turned around consistently enough (UGA touchdown he gave up right after the deep sideline throw where he probably should have been called for DPI). Also, at times, he won’t look immediate in zone choices (Zachariah Branch TD).
Julian Neal, Arkansas
Consensus Pick: 86
My headline: He gets the absolute most out of his skillset
Consensus is too low on Neal right now.
It will be interesting to see him test – he’s thought to be a low to mid 4.5s guy but I see better that on film. And he’s got fluidity a supposed 6’2″ CB usually doesn’t have.
He presses all game, is physical, and the best run defender and tackling CB in this class. He moves and changes direction better than you’d expect at his size. He’s smart in coverage and pursues. Julian gets the absolute most out of his talent.
He gives me some Bradberry vibes and I mean that as a compliment as Bradberry was a very good CB for 5-6 years. Neal will be the CB that outperforms his draft location this year and may be my favorite CB after Jermod and Mansoor.
In high school, he was an All City honoree at both receiver and basketball point guard and was initially recruited as a receiver. One knock – he’s a redshirt senior and will be 23 years old at the draft with only 105 career targets, almost all coming in 2024-25.
I couldn’t be higher on Julian Neal as a day 2 pick, especially around his current EDP late day 2. If the Eagles can’t grab Jermod in R1, Julian Neal is really good value.
Guys I’m passing on
There are some good corners in this list, this isn’t a knock on them. But I ignored any slot-only CBs (and there are several in this class due to size) and of course took out any guys I felt didn’t have the movement needed.
Avieon Terrell, Clemson
Consensus Pick: 21
My headline: He’s a good player, but not what the Eagles need
He has the pedigree (AJ Terrell’s brother) and there’s a lot to like – he mirrors well, has good closing speed, and is good jumping routes. My issue is I think he will be a slot and not what the Eagles need.
He’s listed at 5’11” and 180lbs, I really doubt he is that tall. Against bigger receivers, he will look outmatched (LSU game). My issue in the slot is I don’t see the tackling and run defense others talk about – he often needs help bringing guys down and will take some bad angles. With Cooper DeJean, I don’t see how he’d fit on the Eagles. But he’ll be a good pick for somebody.
Brandon Cisse, South Carolina
Consensus Pick: 32
My headline: Lacks short-area quickness
He’s pretty consistently getting R1 grades and I just don’t see it at all – his speed is adequate but his short area burst is limited (Vanderbilt goal line TD allowed). Plays the run a lot but his tackling is inconsistent.
Chris Johnson, San Diego St
Consensus Pick: 52
My headline: Lacks short-area quickness
Of this group, he may be the one I reconsider on re-watch – he has good hip fluidity, feasts jumping routes, and gets his hands on the ball a lot. But I have concerns on his speed and ability to close quickly. Several of his big, highlight-worthy plays I think go the other way against an NFL QB arm, which he rarely faced.
Keith Abney, Arizona St
Consensus Pick: 55
My headline: I don’t see his skills translating to the NFL
Like Cisse, he’s getting early round grades that I don’t agree with. He lacks closing speed when he needs it – he gives up enough separation that will be a problem in the NFL but got away with it at ASU. He’s decent in zone but I don’t like him in man coverage.
AJ Harris, Penn St
Consensus Pick: 70
My headline: Day 2 pick in 2024, UDFA in 2025
Unless there is some explanation like a hidden injury, after a good 2024, his 2025 almost makes him undraftable. I like him so much more when he has a man to stay with – in zone, he plays too far off and lacks the speed to close. Rarely got his hands on the ball.
Will Lee III, Texas A&M
Consensus Pick: 96
My headline: Lacks NFL traits
Will Lee III, Texas A&M
Will be 23 at the draft, doesn’t have the speed for the NFL and when he is required to plant and come back, it takes him steps to recover that gives up separation.
Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State
Consensus Pick: 109
My headline: A slightly better Kelee Ringo
This will give Philly fans PTSD, but he reminds me a lot of Kelee. He’s fast but has the lack of fluidity that taller corners often will have – he just doesn’t have that smooth CB look and will get beat on double moves. He’s going to test well and a lot of people will like him for that.
Daylen Everette, Georgia
Consensus Pick: 115
My headline: Easy speed but concerning zone instincts
Will just turn 22 after the draft and played 4 years at Georgia. He’s got speed that shows up with ease. He’s known as a zone corner but my concern is he loses track of his man or ball and too often seems to settle in the wrong spot in zone – given 4 years of experience at Georgia, this is concerning given it is supposedly his strength.
Kelley Jones, Mississippi St
Consensus Pick: 118
My headline: One of the higher variance picks (if he declares)…
There’s a lot to like. He’s fast, aggressive, and has some good film – against Texas, Trey Wingo has his way with the Miss St defense, except for Jones who held him catchless. He’s s going to test well and has great size.
And there are things to be cautious on. Despite his speed, he is most comfortable dropping, keeping the play in front of him, and then carrying a receiver downfield. There aren’t a ton of reps I found where he was stressed on double-moves or shiftier receivers, but you will see some in the Missouri game (one of his worst games).
He’s a high variance pick that probably requires a specific usage. He could remind me of KC’s Jaylen Watson or Maxwell Hairston, and I think either outcome would be unsurprising. He’s a guy I dropped on second watch for this reason.