Eagles Could Break Long Streak of Not Taking CBs in First Round of NFL Draft

The Philadelphia Eagles haven't taken a cornerback in the first round since 2002, but could Iowa's Cooper DeJean be in play because of his versatility?

PHILADELPHIA – It’s been 22 years since the Philadelphia Eagles took a cornerback in the NFL draft, and what a pick it was.

Lito Sheppard, taken 26th overall in 2002, spent seven seasons in Philly, intercepting 18 passes in 93 games, 61 of which were starts, making two Pro Bowls and earning one first-team All-Pro honor.

The Eagles peppered the position that year, following up the selection of Sheppard by taking safety Michael Lewis at No. 58 and cornerback Sheldon Brown at No. 59. They became the nucleus, along with safety Brian Dawkins, for a near-decade of success under Andy Reid, lynchpins in Philly's run to Super Bowl XXXIX in the 2004 season.

The Eagles don’t need to pound the cornerback position in this draft, but there is a thought that they could use one certified talent to join a young nucleus of players at that position which includes Kelee Ringo, Eli Ricks, and Josh Jobe.

Iowa's Cooper DeJean / USA Today

This was a defense, after all, that was one of the worst in the league last year, coming in at No. 31 overall. The spring draft is shaping up to be one that could convince the Eagles to take a hard look at the position in the first round, especially if they part ways with James Bradberry.

Releasing Bradberry with a post-June 1 designation won’t save them any money under the salary cap but it would open a post for a hotshot rookie to find his way into the starting lineup, perhaps, opposite Darius Slay.

NFL Media’s lead draft analyst, Daniel Jeremiah, believes there are seven or eight cornerbacks who could go in the first round. That’s nearly a quarter of the draft. It’s a lot.

The NFL Scouting Combine begins this week, and the highlight will be general manager Howie Roseman and Nick Sirianni talking with reports for 15 minutes each on Tuesday afternoon. On Friday, the defensive backs and tight ends will work out. The NFL Network is televising much of this week’s event.

The Eagles reportedly already talked to Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell at the Senior Bowl, so he might be one to watch at No. 22, though he could be gone before then.

Jeremiah has the Eagles spending No. 22 on Missouri’s Ennis Rakestraw, Jr. in his mock draft 2.0. the reason why has a lot to do with Rakestraw’s eyes.

“Eyes are going to be big with Vic, so I look at Rakestraw I think has really, really good eyes,” said Jeremiah. “He can play the ball. They're going to get pressure. I know they kind of - their numbers fell off a little bit last year, and I know they have some new faces, some young guys that will get opportunities up front, and they need some of those guys to step up. 

"I look at guys that have those eyes and can find and play the ball.”

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Another one Jeremiah likes is Georgia’s Kamari Lassiter, and everyone knows how the Eagles feel about players from that program.

“That (No. 22) might be a little bit early for him, but he is somebody that I think kind of fits what they look for and what they like,” he said. “He's a good player. I think he has some inside-outside versatility, can play the nickel, can play outside if he wanted to as well.”

The home run pick may be Iowa’s Cooper DeJean, who’s rated the 22nd overall prospect in the draft. That’s the Eagles’ sweet spot.

Many believe DeJean will run his Combine 40 in 4.3 seconds, which would be huge because he’s already a big (6-1, 207), physical defensive back. And yes, he is a DB who is comfortable at cornerback but could cross-train at safety.

The Eagles have never drafted a safety in the first round (Hall of Famer Dawkins came in the second), but DeJean could be a fit there.

He has drawn comparisons to Eric Weddle, a second-round draft pick of the then-San Diego Chargers back in 2007, who played 14 seasons in the NFL, made six Pro Bowls, and received five All-Pro nods (two on the first team).