An Eagles Slant To the Last Day Of the Combine


Crystal LoGiudice / USA Today

Crystal LoGiudice / USA Today

Entering the combine, there was no consensus among analysts on the top names of this year’s cornerback class.

While things can still change between now and the actual draft, today’s workouts had clear winners.

The biggest victor, without question, was Michigan State’s Trae Waynes, who crushed it with a 4.31, easily the fastest time among this year’s group. In the past 10 years, only two cornerbacks have clocked faster times than Waynes (6-0, 186). Given his size and college production, Waynes seems like a longshot to still be on the board when the Eagles pick at No. 20.

A couple other cornerbacks who helped themselves were LSU’s Jalen Collins (4.48) and Utah’s Eric Rowe (4.45). Collins (6-1, 203) only started 10 games in college, but appears to have all the measurables and is benefitting greatly from the pre-draft process.

Rowe (6-1, 205) played safety until his senior season, but offers an excellent size/speed combination.

A couple other cornerbacks who have been mentioned as first-round possibilities – Washington’s Marcus Peters and Florida State’s P.J. Williams – were a notch below, running 4.53 and 4.57, respectively.

WHAT ABOUT SAFETIES?

NFL Network analysts did not pull any punches when describing this safety class. Mike Mayock labeled it “poor” overall, and Daniel Jeremiah suggested that free-agent safeties were probably at home clapping while watching the unimpressive performances of this year’s prospects.

One player who has created some buzz is Alabama’s Landon Collins. At 6-0, 228, he ran a 4.53.

Landon Collins has been mentioned as a possibility for the Eagles at No. 20, but based on what Mayock said, he does not appear to be a scheme fit. Mayock projected Landon Collins as a strong safety in base and a dime linebacker in sub packages.

The Eagles don’t play with a traditional free and strong safety. They want interchangeable guys who can play both in the box and back in center field. Given Ed Marynowitz’s Alabama ties, the Eagles should be able to form an educated projection with Landon Collins, but his role in Philadelphia would be different than his role under Nick Saban.

Michigan State’s Kurtis Drummond had to cover the slot quite a bit in college, but some analysts have wondered about his range and ability to single-high. Drummond ran a 4.65, tied for second-slowest among this year’s class.