Every day leading up to the 2020 NFL draft, we’ll be taking a look at this draft class by position. We’ll highlight a few players who will fit the Eagles and separate them into three categories based on where they’re likely to get drafted.
We already looked at tight ends, receivers, linebackers and running backs. Up today: Cornerbacks.
At No. 21
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SIGN UP HERE C.J. Henderson, Florida, 6-0, 204
Ohio State’s Jeff Okudah is the consensus top cornerback in this draft class. C.J. Henderson is No. 2 and has a chance to be a stud in the NFL. It seems unlikely he’d ever fall to 21 but there’s a chance he could be within trade range. Henderson isn’t a great tackler but he makes up for it with his sticky coverage ability and athleticism. At 6-foot, he ran a 4.39 in the 40 at the combine. He’s not as boisterous as many cornerbacks, but he quietly takes care of business.
Jeff Gladney, TCU, 5-10, 191
I once thought the Eagles would have a chance to land Gladney with their 53rd pick but I no longer think that’s the case, which is a shame. Because he’d be a great fit for Jim Schwartz’s defense. He’s a shade over 5-10 but is super competitive and, yes, “twitched up.” He just seems like a Schwartz corner prototype.
NFL
In the middle
Noah Igbinoghene, Auburn, 5-10, 198
A two-year starter at Auburn, Igbinoghene needs some more polish but there are tools to work with. He ran a 4.48 at the combine and the play speed is there. We mentioned earlier how Henderson isn’t a great tackler … not a problem for Igbinoghene, who is already solid in the run game and could be a special teams contributor too. He even returned kicks at Auburn.
Cameron Dantzler, Mississippi State, 6-2, 188
Dantzler ran a disappointing 4.64 in the 40 at the combine and then a video surfaced with him at a private pro day, claiming he ran a 4.38. That’s a pretty massive difference. It seems like his real speed is somewhere in between and he looked plenty fast on the field. He’s a long and lanky corner who was a two-year starter at Mississippi State.
Reggie Robinson II, Tulsa, 6-1, 205
Robinson was a four-year starter at Tulsa. An injury shorted his 2018 season but he bounced back in 2019, when he had 17 pass breakups and four INTs on his way to being a first-team All-AAC player. Robinson has good length and a solid build and is fast enough, shown by his 4.44 at the combine. Robinson has cover skills but he’s also tough enough vs. the run and was a special teams difference-maker.
Late-round sleeper(s)
Harrison Hand, Temple, 5-11, 197
A Cherry Hill West graduate, Hand came back home in 2019 to play out his final college season with the Owls after a couple years at Baylor. Last season, he led the Owls with three interceptions and also had eight pass breakups. He’s not an overwhelming athlete and there could be limitations because of that. Without those tools, there’s probably a low ceiling for Hand, but he is solid enough to be an adequate backup and special teams contributor.
L’Jarius Sneed, Louisiana Tech, 6-0, 192
In his senior season, Sneed was moved to safety but played cornerback during his first three years at LA Tech and projects as a corner at the next level. While Sneed might last until the fifth or sixth round because there are blemishes, he has upside. Sneed definitely has some big-play ability and his 4.37 speed is enough to take a chance on.
Lavert Hill, Michigan, 5-10, 190
As a three-year starter for the Wolverines, Hill played as an outside cornerback and as a nickel. At the NFL level, his size projects him to play inside. In his final three college seasons, Hill had six interceptions, 28 PBUs and 7 TFLs. He’s undersized but not afraid to mix it up in press technique and sometimes that’s a problem. He’ll need to contribute on special teams.
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