It’s draft season! I’ve been busy watching a bunch of these prospects, so in the lead-up to the 2024 NFL Draft, I’ll be releasing my rankings. Before you read ahead, please keep in mind the following!
- I have ranked these players based on the Eagles’ needs and scheme fits. Therefore, the round grade I have given considers that. For example, I may have had a 2nd round grade on a player like Trey Benson if the Eagles badly needed a running back, but I have pushed him down the board after the signing of Barkley.
- Please focus more on the tiers rather than the list. I use tiers when I have similar grades on players, and there might not be a lot of difference between players if they are in the same tier.
- I try to watch as much film as I can on these guys, but I also rely on others for stats and other data. Huge credit to PFF and Dane Brugler for some of the stats and measurables used in the pieces.
- I may mention off-the-field and injury issues in the reports, but I don’t really factor that in when ranking these prospects. However, I may mention it in the summaries.
- If I haven’t ranked someone, that’s because I haven’t watched them! If you’d like me to watch someone in particular, feel free to comment and I’ll try to get to them before the draft.
Previously
Running Backs / Wide Receivers / Tight Ends / Offensive Line / Defensive Line / EDGE / Linebacker
Cornerback
Tier 1
1. Terrion Arnold, Alabama, 5-11 3/4, 189
Summary: Arnold is a high-level cornerback prospect who has the size and athletic traits to play outside or in the slot and matchup with opposing teams’ best receivers. He needs to work on a few issues at the break point and didn’t run as well as you would like, but he’s an excellent prospect.
Eagles Thoughts: Absolutely, yes, please! I doubt he will be there at 22 though.
2. Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo, 6-0 1/8, 195
Summary: Mitchell is an outstanding height/weight/speed prospect who excels at the catch point, but has not faced the best competition routinely and needs to work on his hands in press coverage still.
Eagles Thoughts: I would love Mitchell on the Eagles and I think his skill-set fits the Fangio style perfectly. I would be stunned if he’s available around pick 22 though, and the Eagles probably aren’t moving up for any cornerback in the 1st.
Tier 2
3. Nate Wiggins, Clemson, 6-1 3/8, 173
Summary: Wiggins is an athletically gifted corner who is both fluid and explosive and plays the ball well in the air. His biggest problem is his size, and teams will target him in the run game. He doesn’t play small though.
Eagles Thoughts: I like Wiggins and would be very content with him at 22 although it isn’t my first choice. Although, he would be another undersized player and this defense has a few of them right now!
4. Cooper DeJean, Iowa, 6-0 1/2, 203
Summary: Cooper DeJean is a fantastic athlete, a physical competitor, and a great tackler who will succeed at any position in the secondary at the next level. He may not have the hips to last at outside cornerback, but I wouldn’t put it past him.
Eagles Thoughts: I don’t know if DeJean is twitchy enough with his change of direction to be an outside cornerback, but I’m not really sure I care. He’s a fantastic player and will make plays at outside cornerback, nickel cornerback, or at safety. The Eagles need good young players in the secondary, so I’d be content with him at 22.
5. Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama, 5-11 1/2, 199
Summary: McKinstry doesn’t have the elite athleticism you want to see from a top cornerback, but he is a smart, intelligent cornerback who can line up and win in press coverage on an island. He feels like a high-floor player.
Eagles Thoughts: I think he would be great in a zone-based defense where he can press and not have to turn and run. 22 may be a touch early considering the athletic profile, but I would not hate it. I think he will be a solid starter.
Tier 3
6. Ennis Rakestraw. Jr, Missouri, 5-11 3/8, 183
Summary: Rakestraw is as physical and competitive as it gets. What he lacks in athletic ability, he makes up for in competitiveness. The film is good enough for a top 50 player, but the lack of athleticism combined with poor ball production (1 interception in 36 starts) and he may drop a bit.
Eagles Thoughts: I think Rakestraw could be an excellent fit in a zone-based defense like Fangio’s, but the lack of athletic traits does concern me. I think the film is good enough for 2nd round pick, although I would feel a little concerned about the upside. I do really like him though.
7. Kamari Lassiter, Georgia, 5-11 1/2, 186
Summary: Lassiter will be a scheme-specific player as the testing and awful 40 time may put teams that play a lot of man coverage off. Weirdly, he had the fastest 3-cone and this highlights that he could be a starter but he may need safety help over the top and will need to play in a scheme that lets him win underneath, rather than constantly running vertical with quicker receivers.
Eagles Thoughts: Lassiter is a tough projection, and I would struggle with him as a top-50 pick due to the 40 time and the lack of ball production. If he did fall, I would prefer him in the 3rd, and I still think he could be a solid CB2.
8. Max Melton, Rutgers, 5’10, 187
Summary: Melton is an explosive cornerback who excels in off-coverage and has good ball skills, but he needs work on his technique, although a lot of his flaws could be hidden by a full-time move to the slot.
Eagles Thoughts: Melton has the versatility to play both inside and outside, but his size will likely push him toward the slot at the next level. I could see the Eagles being interested from round 2 onwards as he could be ready to play in the slot almost immediately, although he does have a few character concerns that I would expect the Eagles to check out.
9. T.J. Tampa, Iowa St., 6-0 7/8, 189
Summary: Tampa is a long cornerback who is strong at the catch point and comfortable both inside and outside, but doesn’t have the long speed to carry quicker receivers vertically and he’s not good enough to press them and win at the LOS. Unless he cleans this up he may remain a backup.
Eagles Thoughts: I always worry a little about slower corners who don’t press well, and Tampa is one of them. However, I think he would excel in a zone-based system where he can play off-coverage and could develop into a solid starter. I like him in rounds 2/3.
10. Mike Sainristil, Michigan, 5-9 1/2, 182
Summary: Sainristil doesn’t have the size or speed to win on the outside, and teams will target him with bigger and faster receivers. In a world where teams line up their best in the slot, Sainristil could cause a DC some matchup problems. However, he is a tough competitive explosive athlete who can hold his own in run defense. He could be a starting nickel or safety.
Eagles Thoughts: I wouldn’t mind the Eagles adding a slot despite bringing back Maddox, but I’m not sure about Sainristil due to his size/speed profile, despite liking a lot of the film. I’m torn on this one, but would probably wait until the 3rd.
Tier 4
11. Andru Phillips, Kentucky, 5-10 3/4, 190
Summary: Phillips is an extremely aggressive and physical press cornerback who can play both inside and outside, but he struggles in off-coverage due to stiffness in his hips and his play at the catch point needs some work.
Eagles Thoughts: Phillips would bring the Eagles a potential aggressive backup at both the nickel position and outside cornerback. I really like the physicality Phillips has, so despite the limitations, I would consider him at the end of day 2/start of day 3 and I think there’s a chance he could start in the slot in the future.
12. D.J James, Auburn, 5-11 5/8, 175
Summary: D.J. James is a very light explosive corner who excels in man coverage where he can show off his stop/start movement skills and fluid hips. He is very light for his size and may be forced into a slot, which could cause issues considering his light frame in run defense. I think the film is good, but the worry is whether he can handle more physical receivers on the outside.
Eagles Thoughts: I’m torn on D.J. James because I like the film, but the overall profile scares me. Despite his size, I think he might be a better fit on the outside, but it’s possible he can’t handle more physical receivers. I would be interested in round 3 based on the film, but he might fall to day 3.
13. Nehemiah Pritchett, Auburn, 6-0 1/8, 190
Summary: Pritchett is a tall speedy cornerback who has the traits to be a starter, but is lightweight. He struggles in run defense and has a lot of issues at the catch point. As a 4-year starter and 23 years old, it’s likely he can’t improve this.
Eagles Thoughts: I would love to take a shot on Pritchett at the start of day 3 because he has legit speed and good enough athletic traits to start, but he really needs some hard coaching. He’s worth a pick even if he remains a backup corner who has ST value.
As always, thank you for reading. If you want more detailed notes on each player (strengths and weaknesses) then I’m thinking of releasing my entire document this year. Keep an eye out for this and let me know if this is something you are interested in!
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