With 11 of 27 training camp practices in the books, Eagles coaches are beginning to indicate which cornerbacks are starters, who will be seen in nickel and dime coverage, and those of whom need to progress before cracking the rotation.
The Eagles were among the worst secondaries in the league last season, allowing a dismal 4,273 yards through the air (28th in NFL). The Philadelphia front office addressed the situation in the offseason, signing proven starters Leodis McKelvin and safety Rodney McLeod to provide stability on the back end.
Thus far, Eagles receivers have gotten the better of the defensive backs in training camp, a troubling sign considering that Philly’s wide receiver group isn’t expected to be among the better units in the NFL.
Clear Cut No. 1
Barring injury, McKelvin will be the No. 1 cornerback for Philadelphia when they host Cleveland in September. McKelvin has been as good as advertised throughout the first week of training camp, commonly batting down passes and anticipating routes for easy interceptions on the outside. The former Buffalo Bill allowed the second-lowest completion percentage in the NFL last year. McKelvin is a very confident player who believes he belongs matched up against the best receivers in the league, and he’ll get that opportunity with elite wideouts Odell Beckham Jr. and Dez Bryant in the NFC East.
The ninth-year cornerback from Troy made a spectacular interception in the fourth quarter of a tie game against the Eagles last season. On an out route momentarily caught by Brent Celek, McKelvin came soaring in from the goal line and swiped the ball from Celek before it could be tucked away. He also had the presence of mind to tap his feet down in bounds with the ball secured to ensure that the interception wouldn’t be overturned upon review.
The No. 2 Favorite
Nolan Carroll is currently the front-runner to win the job opposite McKelvin. Before breaking his ankle against Detroit, the Eagles No. 2 cornerback had an inconsistent 2015 season, recording two interceptions and 57 tackles in 11 games. Carroll has had a relatively quiet camp thus far, but has been lining up as the second outside cornerback opposite McKelvin more often than not. Ron Brooks has been pushing Carroll for the job, but Brooks has been a valuable special teams/nickel player throughout his career, and it’s likely that he’ll continue that role in his first season with the Eagles. Carroll, a former Maryland Terrapin, has been held out of a few practices as the Eagles continue to monitor his recovering ankle. Despite the occasional rest, look for the athletic defensive back to once again start for the Eagles in 2016.
Contenders
Brooks is the top contender to unseat Carroll for a starting job on week one. Brooks has been given ample first-team reps on the outside, but has been most commonly lining up at the nickel position on the first-team. Having a veteran third cornerback like Brooks will allow talented young corners Eric Rowe and Jalen Mills time to develop before being thrown into the fire.
While Brooks has the best chance to beat out Carroll for the No. 2 cornerback job to begin the year, Jalen Mills is the favorite to play himself into a starting role by the end of the 2016 season. Mills started all four years at LSU, during which he matched up with standout receivers such as Alabama’s Amari Cooper and Ole Miss’ Laquon Treadwell. The seventh-round pick has catapulted up the depth chart during his spectacular training camp, and will likely see regular season reps when opposing teams spread the Eagles out with three and four wide receivers.
Rowe is on the outside looking in at the moment, but has had a much better second week of practice for the Eagles. Rowe intercepted Eagles quarterbacks in three consecutive practices this week, and had one of the best hits of the day on Friday when he stepped up into the flat and drilled tight end Trey Burton in the end zone for a safety. One positive that plays into Rowe’s favor is that he looks much more effective in shoulder pads during “live” practices. Still, the former Utah Ute is a longshot to start on opening day.
Patrick Del Gaone is a staff writer for Sports Talk Philly. Follow him on Twitter @Del_Gaone.
