Eagles take standout Alabama CB in latest PFF mock draft

Now that the Super Bowl is behind us, we’re officially in Eagles mock draft season.

We’ll be releasing our own mocks over the next few months, but for now, let’s take a look at the direction Pro Football Focus believes the Eagles will go come April.

It’s no secret that Philly will need to address their secondary this offseason. I wouldn’t be shocked if the team rolled into next season with a starting safety duo of Reed Blankenship and Sydney Brown. Blankenship had a solid 2023 campaign, recording 113 combined tackles and notching three interceptions, culminating in a 73.4 PFF defensive grade for the year, good for 19th among 95 qualifying safeties. As for Brown, he had an up and down rookie season, but showed flashes of his playmaking ability.

With the in-house options, the future still looks bright for the Eagles safety. However, the same can’t be said for the cornerback group.

Despite signing an extension last offseason, James Bradberry will more than likely be gone this year, leaving Darius Slay, Avonte Maddox, and several unproven first/second year players to pick up the slack.

That’s where the NFL Draft will come into play. PFF envisions the Eagles selecting Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry with the 22nd overall pick.

PFF on why the Eagles should drink the Kool-Aid:

The Eagles must address cornerback. Howie Roseman loves his SEC players, and McKinstry is the ideal fit as a player with the ability to play press-man coverage at any time.

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Aside from having the coolest name in this year’s draft class, there are a lot of reason to like McKinstry.

He’s not much of a ball hawk, recording just two interceptions over his three-year collegiate career at Bama, but he’s a proven lockdown corner. In 2023, he allowed a completion percentage of just 48.7 percent and a passer rating of 73.1 when targeted. McKinstry also posted an 87.8 coverage grade, putting him in the upper echelon of this year’s crop of corners.

My analysis: I just want him because of the name.

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