Eagles must address CB problem through the draft

Sunday, February 27, 2011
Posted: 6:47 p.m.

By Reuben Frank
CSNPhilly.com

INDIANAPOLIS -- Its been seven years since the Eagles drafted a cornerback in the first three rounds.

Seven long years.

That will change this year. It has to.

Were going to add competition all along the defense, and cornerback is one of those positions, General Manager Howie Roseman said. Thats probably a position where were going to have to add some players.

Other than perennial Pro Bowl pick Asante Samuel, the cupboard is bare for the Eagles at corner. Ellis Hobbs is likely to retire, Dimitri Patterson is an unrestricted free agent, and the only signed corners currently on the roster with any NFL experience are Joselio Hanson, who is a slot specialist, and Trevard Lindley, who played well as a rookie but isnt likely to become a starter.

Theres always Nnamdi Asomugha, but without a new CBA, there wont be free agency. So the Eagles are really in a position where, barring an agreement between now and late April, they have to address corner in the draft.

The last time the Eagles picked a corner in the first three rounds was in 2004, when they took Matt Ware out of UCLA in the third round. Ware has actually had a long career -- hes been with the Cards the past five years as a backup corner and special teamer after two disappointing seasons with the Eagles.

Since then, the Eagles have drafted 19 players in the first three rounds without addressing corner.

Its been nine years since the 2002 draft, where the Eagles found Lito Sheppard out of Florida with the 26th pick and Sheldon Brown out of South Carolina with the 59th. Both became mainstays of the Eagles secondary before the Eagles cut ties with them, Sheppard after the 2008 season and Brown after 2009.

All of this is subject to change once the corners work out at the Combine on Tuesday, but as it looks now, the top few corners -- LSUs Patrick Peterson, Nebraskas Prince Amukamara and Colorados Jimmy Smith -- could well be out of the Eagles reach at No. 23 -- although a trade up is always possible.

But the depth at the position means they might be able to get as much value in the second round -- where they have the 54th pick overall -- as they could if they reach for a corner at the end of the first round.

If you're looking for a corner at the end of the first round, you might have a problem, NFL Network analyst Michael Mayock said. Its about whether or not your needs meet up with the strength of this years draft. Because the corners, there is a big drop off after the first two Peterson and Amukamara in my belief.

Although trades will be limited without a new CBA, teams will be able to make draft-day trades for picks, and it wouldnt be surprising to see the Eagles get out of the first round and try to attack both offensive line and cornerback early the second round.

Heres a look at eight cornerbacks to keep an eye on during the Combine and during their private workouts over the next couple weeks. Some will rise into the first round, some will drop into the third. But theres a good chance one of them will be an Eagle in 2011. In parenthesis: height, weight and time in the 40-yard dash.

Brandon Harris, Miami (5-11, 195, 4.45): Good instincts allow him to play bigger than he is. Great athlete who ran track for the Hurricanes. Recovers well. Doesnt have great hands.

Aaron Williams, Texas (6-1, 195, 4.49): Has good size and ability to match up against the bigger receivers hell see in the NFC East. A willing run defender but not a great tackler.
Davon House, New Mexico State (6-0, 185, 4.45): Physical corner who likes to hit and tackle and has the tools to be a press corner. Has speed to recover when he gets beat.
Curtis Brown, Texas (6-0, 180, 4.42): Fastest corner of the top group and a former wide receiver. Not considered a very physical player or strong tackler despite decent size but a capable cover corner.
Brandon Burton, Utah (6-0, 185, 4.49): More of a long-term project than an NFL-ready corner. Has some technique issues, but has considerable upside.
Johnny Patrick, Louisville (5-11, 185, 4.47): Not the biggest or fastest but does everything well. Likes to hit. Character questions after assault arrest, although charges were dropped.

Ras-I Dowling, Virginia (6-2, 200, 4.54): Likes to play press at the line of scrimmage and is good at it. Smart and coachable. Injury question mark after missing much of senior year. If he runs well Tuesday, could shoot up draft board.

Chimdi Chekwa, Ohio State (5-11, 190, 4.49): Solid, technically sound prospect coming from a top Big 10 program. Plays tough but needs to get bigger and stronger.

Related: At Combine, Newton says football is No. 1 priorityEagles will look to improve O-line through draft
E-mail Reuben Frank at rfrank@comcastsportsnet.com