Bucking The Trend? Eagles Interested in Top CB Prospects

It hasn’t happened since 2002.

The Philadelphia Eagles have not drafted a single corner or defensive back in the first round of the NFL Draft in over two decades when Lito Sheppard was taken out of Florida.

USA TODAY

With major questions continuing to come regarding the secondary, the Eagles’ long-standing tradition of ignoring the secondary early in drafts may be coming to an end.

Over the last few weeks, Philadelphia has met with some of the most talented cornerback prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. This has ranged from Alabama’s Terrion Arnold, Iowa’s Cooper DeJean, and even Clemson’s Nate Wiggins. Each top cornerback has their strengths and weaknesses but would provide the Eagles with something they haven’t had in quite some time.

Blue-chip talent on the outside.

There is still a chance that the organization will move away from the cornerback room in the first round. After all, the need for depth along the offensive line has increased after the retirement of Jason Kelce and the questionable future of Lane Johnson. Philadelphia wouldn’t be wrong to address the offensive line early in the draft.

But in a loaded class, and armed with two second-round picks, the Eagles could also look to address their holes there in the second round for the offensive line, while solving their needs in the secondary in the first.

At the very least, as the first day of the NFL Draft creeps closer, the more likely it is that Philadelphia is set on addressing a clear need that they have seemingly moved away from over the last few decades.