The 2020 NFL Draft is fast approaching and with the Eagles looking to make changes up and down the roster, Howie Roseman and company could have a few surprises in store.
The Eagles have been linked to Henry Ruggs III and Tee Higgins for weeks now, but what if Howie Roseman believes in the depth at receiver in the draft and decides to lean another way in the first round?
The Eagles have several big needs and there’s been some discussion about a full-scale rebuild in the secondary.
Malcolm Jenkins wants a new contract, and Roseman has been transparent about both parties doing what’s best for both parties. Rodney McLeod is an unrestricted free agent along with cornerbacks Jalen Mills and Ronald Darby.
If the Eagles do choose to use a first or second-round pick on a defensive back, here are 10 defensive back options that make the most sense.
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1. Kristian Fulton — CB — LSU
With Jalen Mills set to hit free agency, the Eagles could replace the former LSU cornerback with one of the current Tiger greats.
Fulton made an immediate impact when thrown into the fire and over the past two seasons, he’s been the highest-graded cornerback in America, according to PFF.
Fulton is elite at the point of attack, as he owns the highest forced incompletion rate in the past two years, allowing just 23.7% of contested targets to be caught.
2. Antoine Winfield Jr. — Safety — Minnesota
The Gophers star safety has the game to match his lofty name. The son of a former Ohio State and NFL star, Winfield Jr. is rising up draft boards because of his ability to dictate a game at different levels.
Winfield Jr. announced that he was skipping his final two years of eligibility after earning consensus All-American honors and tying the single-season Gophers record with seven interceptions.
Winfield led the Gophers with 88 total tackles while helping them knock off Auburn in the Outback Bowl to finish 11-2 for the most wins in program history since 1904.
3. Darnay Holmes — UCLA — CB
In his three seasons as a starter for the Bruins, Holmes led the team in interceptions, as has big-game pedigree, earning praises after becoming a rare true freshman to start for the school.
Because of an ankle injury, the 5-foot-11 corner missed the first two games of 2019, as he finished with 34 tackles and two interceptions — which still led the team — and six pass breakups.
4. Xavier McKinney — Safety — Alabama
The Crimson Tide star has the skills and versatility to be the first safety off the board, as he combines athleticism, physical tools and the ability to operate in space or from the slot.
Howie Roseman missed on getting Minkah Fitzpatrick, and by adding McKinney to the roster, he could make the Eagles secondary, Avonte Maddox and Jim Schwartz that much better.
5. Kindle Vildor — Georgia Southern
At Georgia Southern, Vildor snagged 9 INT’s and 25 passes defense over the last 3 years and is a ball-hawk that the Eagles would love.
6. Trevon Diggs — CB — Alabama
Diggs, the younger brother of Minnesota Vikings star receiver Stefon Diggs, is a projected top-15 pick, but guys slip all the time. Diggs finished his junior season with 37 tackles, three interceptions, eight passes defended, two fumble recoveries and two defensive touchdowns.
He’s not afraid of the bright lights or the big moment and could be just what the doctor ordered if the Eagles go cornerback in Round 1.
7. Jeff Gladney — CB — TCU
A knee injury will prevent the shutdown-style cornerback from participating in the Senior Bowl. Gladney is viewed as one of the top cornerbacks in the 2020 class. He led the Horned Frogs with 14 pass breakups last season. He also had 31 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss, and one interception.
8. Grant Delpit — Safety — LSU
Malcolm Jenkins and Rodney McLeod could both be on the move this offseason, although the Eagles are likely to keep one at safety. Delpit is rangy and could be a perfect fit to learn from the veterans. The 2019 Jim Thorpe Award winner is viewed as one of the top two safeties coming out of the 2020 NFL Draft class and the type of young and elite playmaking talent the Eagles need.
9. Bryce Hall — CB — Virginia
A big, physical cornerback, Hall was considered to be one of the best cornerbacks in college football entering the 2019 season but suffered a serious ankle injury during an October loss at Miami. As a result, Hall finished the season with 13 solo tackles and four passes defended. Prior to the start of the 2019 season, the senior corner was receiving Day 2 grades from some draft analysts.
10. Troy Pride, Jr. — CB — Notre Dame
The Notre Dame star is solidly built at 5-foot-11, 193 pounds, and can run, predicting that he’ll run in the 4.2s at the NFL combine. Pride Jr. excels in man-to-man and rarely gets beat.
