Eagles predicted to land ascending cornerback prospect to pair with Quinyon Mitchell
Context:
The Philadelphia Eagles, after parting ways with Darius Slay Jr. and Isaiah Rodgers, are focusing on filling the boundary cornerback position opposite Quinyon Mitchell. Current contenders include Kelee Ringo, rookie Mac McWilliams, and veteran Adoree Jackson, although none are seen as long-term solutions. Analysts predict the Eagles might select Penn State's A.J. Harris in the 2026 NFL Draft, who is recognized for his impressive sophomore year performance and versatility in coverage. General Manager Howie Roseman is known for successful early-round picks, suggesting a strategic approach towards securing a reliable cornerback. The team may also consider other avenues such as trades for established players, though high-profile trades appear unlikely due to financial constraints.
Dive Deeper:
The Eagles are in need of a reliable boundary cornerback after losing Darius Slay Jr. and Isaiah Rodgers, leaving the position opposite Quinyon Mitchell open for competition.
Kelee Ringo, Mac McWilliams, and Adoree Jackson are potential candidates for the role, but analysts believe none provide a long-term solution, prompting speculation about future moves.
Draft analysts suggest A.J. Harris from Penn State could be a viable option for the Eagles in the 2026 NFL Draft, given his strong performance metrics and technical proficiency.
Harris, who allowed only 0.76 yards per coverage snap and showed exceptional zone coverage instincts, is seen as capable of playing both outside and in the slot.
General Manager Howie Roseman is recognized for his effective early-round draft decisions, indicating a possible strategy to secure a prominent cornerback in future drafts.
The Eagles' addition of Adoree Jackson on a minimal contract highlights an immediate but uncertain solution, as he must prove his worth during training camp to secure a roster spot.
Though early to predict draft picks, Harris's upward trajectory and performance in high-stakes college games make him a compelling option for the Eagles’ future plans at cornerback.
With the NFL draft behind us, it’s never too early to look ahead to training camp and eye which positional battles could take center stage come August.
For the Philadelphia Eagles, the competition at boundary cornerback opposite young superstar Quinyon Mitchell figures to get plenty of attention.
After parting ways with both Darius Slay Jr. and Isaiah Rodgers this offseason, the Eagles are left a bit thin on the outside. As it stands, Kelee Ringo, fifth-round rookie Mac McWilliams and veteran Adoree Jackson could all be in the mix to win the starting job, with 2024 sensation Cooper DeJean likely to remain inside at the nickel spot.
Draft analysts Max Chadwick and Dalton Wasserman of PFF don’t see Philly’s long-term answer on the current roster, however. They recently projected the team to land ascending Penn State cornerback A.J. Harris on Day 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft.
“One of the few needs for the Eagles is to find a long-term answer at the outside cornerback spot opposite Quinyon Mitchell. Philadelphia does so here with Harris, who plays only a two-hour drive away,” they wrote. “He finished his sophomore year as one of the 10 most valuable cornerbacks in the nation, according to PFF’s Wins Above Average metric, while allowing only 0.76 yards per coverage snap. Harris can succeed on the outside or in the slot and has excellent instincts in zone coverage while being very technically refined overall.”
Eagles GM Howie Roseman often hits with his early-round draft picks, and there’s a path to him going back to the well at cornerback when 2026 rolls around. Ringo’s still somewhat raw at 22 years old, but he’s now entering Year 3 in the NFL after struggling to get on the field in Vic Fangio's defense in 2024.
Philly bolstered the group by adding Jackson in free agency, but he’s on a near vet-minimum contract and will have to show the team something in training camp to make the 53-man roster. McWilliams could be a wild-card in the competition as an incoming rookie who showed high-end man-to-man coverage traits in college, but deploying a fifth-round cornerback as a starter from Day 1 is risky business in the NFL.
It’s way too early to be projecting 2026 draft picks, but Harris could be on Philly’s radar if he continues his upward trajectory. He finished the 2025 season with five pass breakups and gained some nice experience as a starter in Penn State’s College Football Playoff game against Notre Dame.
Whether it’s via next year’s draft or a blockbuster trade for a veteran like Jalen Ramsey — a highly unlikely scenario due to Ramsey’s hefty contract — expect the Eagles to be addressing the cornerback position in the near future.
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