CB at 12

As you analyze the top of the upcoming draft, it sure looks like the Eagles will be drafting a WR or CB. There isn’t a DE or DT that is good value at 12. I don’t see LB or safety being likely. OL is possible, but not a priority position. There isn’t a RB worth the pick. TE Kyle Pitts will be gone by then.

I guess QB is a possibility, but it doesn’t seem likely. The Eagles could have stayed at 6 if they wanted a QB or to be in position to get one. Moving back to 12 sends the message that QB probably isn’t in the plans.

We’ve talked a lot about the WRs. DeVonta Smith just had an amazing season and would be an excellent addition. His teammate Jaylen Waddle is the most explosive receiver in the draft and would also be a terrific pick.

I haven’t talked much about CB recently. In previous posts, I talked about some concerns with Patrick Surtain getting beaten deep in a few games. I wasn’t as high as on him as others. I decided to go back and re-watch tape to see if I was missing something.

I came away very impressed with Surtain. I think I had heard so much hype that the first time around I was holding him to a crazy standard. I was fixating on any issues, rather than seeing all the things he did well.

The first thing that jumped out at me was his feet. Surtain has quick feet and he moves so smoothly. He has fluid hips and changes directions with ease. Surtain has ideal movement skills for a corner. He’s also smart. Surtain always seems to be in the right position. He doesn’t do a lot of guessing. He trusts his eyes. He is physical, but not overly handsy. Surtain will tackle. He really is a gifted CB prospect.

As I re-watched the tape, my speed concerns were somewhat alleviated. The issue seemed to be more about his ability to play the ball on downfield throws. That is something that can be worked on with coaching and practice. There were still some plays where a couple of receivers did run by him, but these are legit NFL guys.

I came away a lot more comfortable with Surtain. I now have him rated as my top corner.

I re-watched Jaycee Horn as well. He is more likely to be on the board at 12 so I wanted to see if I felt he was worth that pick.

Horn is big, physical and athletically gifted. He used his size and athleticism to win a lot of battles. Horn is ultra-competitive. He talks trash all game long and seems to take plays personally. That mindset may make him a guy that Nick Sirianni loves.

Horn can be too handsy at times. That won’t fly in the NFL. Still, the coaches may love the fact he’s trying to dominate the guys he is going against. The best corners in the NFL have that kind of a mindset. They don’t want to give up short throws and limit you…they want to dominate you. They want to shut you down.

I think Horn has the higher ceiling between him and Surtain. Horn has some great flashes. He can be explosive. He does some unique things. If you can get him to clean up his game, he could be a star.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FV2Qr8G8Zrg

Both Surtain and Horn are outstanding prospects and I would be fine if the Eagles got either of them at 12.

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Caleb Farley is the best corner. We just don’t know about his medical issue (microdisectomy on his back). It did not seem to affect him at Virginia Tech, but the NFL is a whole different animal. Farley played 23 games in 2018-2019. NFL teams now play 17 in a season. You go against the best players in the world and your body takes a beating. That kind of wear and tear is much tougher than college football.

If Farley falls to the late first or early second, I would be fine with the Eagles taking him. He’s got tremendous potential. I know the Sidney Jones experiment failed, but you can’t avoid risk on all future picks. You have to judge situations individually and see if you’re comfortable with the risk. Farley is a player I would take a chance on, if the doctors gave him a passing medical grade.

*****

Greg Newsome is a terrific CB prospect. I expect him to go in the 15 to 25 range so I don’t think the Eagles have a chance to get him, without dropping back or having to really move up.

If he did fall to the late first and the price was right, I’d love for the Eagles to get him.

*****

Less than a week to go. I’m sure you’re starting to get tired of speculation. I know I’m ready to get some answers.

I think.

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