NFL Draft: Eagles hold pre-draft visits with two top cornerbacks

Following DeVonta Smith’s three-year extension, the Eagles have nine of their eleven offensive starters under contract through at least 2025.

Their focus will now shift to the NFL Draft as Philadelphia looks to improve a secondary that ranked 30th in pass defense last season.

The Eagles are doing their homework on this year’s cornerback class, having reportedly hosted Iowa DB Cooper DeJean and Alabama CB Terrion Arnold on pre-draft visits this week.

#Iowa CB Cooper DeJean, a likely first-rounder who impressed at his Pro Day, only had four days available for Top 30 visits due to Combine rechecks (fractured fibula) and his late Pro Day.

He spent those days with: The #Steelers, #Seahawks, #Bills and #Eagles.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 17, 2024

Alabama CB Terrion Arnold wrapped up his pre-draft visits on Tuesday with the #Eagles.

One of the top defensive players in this draft, Arnold also visited the #Titans, #Falcons, #Vikings, #Cardinals, #Lions and #Jaguars. pic.twitter.com/2FZYHef8Hb

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 17, 2024

Cooper DeJean missed Iowa’s Pro Day (as well as the NFL Combine and Senior Bowl) with a broken leg but impressed at his private Pro Day, recording a 4.42 40-yard dash and 38.5″ vertical jump.

DeJean’s Pro Day results put him just outside the top 1% of CBs since 1987 in athleticism testing.

Cooper DeJean is a CB prospect in the 2024 draft class. He scored a 9.85 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 39 out of 2473 CB from 1987 to 2024.

Official times put DeJean as the top #RAS CB for 2024.https://t.co/X46s2kCaHC pic.twitter.com/eytrANi5CZ

— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 15, 2024

From a scheme perspective, DeJean’s versatility makes him an intriguing fit for Philly based on what Vic Fangio asks from his defensive backs. His ability to play corner and safety, along with his strong Pro Day, will make DeJean a top-25 selection.

If the Eagles want Terrion Arnold, however, they’ll likely need to trade up for his services. Arnold is widely viewed as a top-20 talent and a future shutdown corner in the NFL.

Terrion Arnold Scouting Report via NFL.com

Twitchy man-cover corner with outstanding athletic ability and the skill set to bring in ball production at the professional level. Arnold possesses average size but plays with a desired level of aggression and competitiveness in both phases of his job.

He’s fast and agile to match up against a variety of receiver flavors on the outside or in the slot. Arnold could squeeze routes tighter from off coverages and limit the yards after catch with a slightly different approach. His closing burst allows him to meet throws at the catch point with a natural feel for playing angles and attacking the receiver’s hands.

Arnold will make mistakes with positioning and lose focus at times, but the athletic traits and nose for the ball create quality upside for him to be positioned as a CB1 within a couple of years.

NFL Comparison: Marshon Lattimore

The Eagles currently hold the No. 22 overall pick in next week’s draft. If Arnold is out of reach, his fellow Alabama teammate Kool-Aid McKinstry would be a gratifying consolation prize.

Iowa CB Cooper DeJean last season:

🟡 388 Coverage Snaps
🟡 Zero TDs Allowed
🟡 2 INTs | 4 PBUs
🟡 37.8 Passer Rating Allowed pic.twitter.com/t6KUKMMWQu

— PFF College (@PFF_College) April 3, 2024

Mandatory Credit: Getty Images