CB Prospect Update

[time2rock]

CB Prospect Update

Posted: April 5th, 2023 | Author: Tommy Lawlor 

We’ve talked a lot in recent days about OL and DL prospects. The Eagles have also shown interest in some of the top CB prospects in the upcoming draft. Today was especially important for one of them.

Devon Witherspoon wasn’t able to work out at the Combine or Illinois’ original Pro Day due to a hamstring injury. He had his own Pro Day on Wednesday and there were a lot of eyes on him. Witherspoon isn’t a special athlete and some wondered what his 40-time would be.

That’s fantastic for Witherspoon. Teams wanted to see a time under 4.50 so he took care of that. Witherspoon is the best hitter/tackler of all the corner prospects. He has good hands. He is instinctive and a good playmaker. Witherspoon solidified himself as a Top 15 prospect and he’s got a good shot to go Top 10.

I think Witherspoon would be a good fit for the Eagles so I hope they’re interested.

*****

Forbes isn’t in the running at 10, but could be in play at 30. He is 6-1, but only 166 pounds. That is small for a CB. Really small. So why would the Eagles be interested? Forbes is the best playmaking corner in the draft.

• 14 career INTs
• 6 career pick-sixes (NCAA record)

Most importantly, if the Eagles take him DeVonta Smith will have someone on the roster that he is bigger than and can pick on.

I’m a big fan of Forbes and would love to see him picked. We know Nick Sirianni loves takeaways. That’s Forbes specialty and he’s good at it.

*****

Porter is a stud corner. He’s got great length and excels in physical coverage. I don’t see him as a great fit for the Eagles, though. He’s at his best in press coverage and only has one career INT. Sirianni wants playmakers. Porter can cover, but he doesn’t have the ball skills to come up with many INTs.

I wouldn’t consider him at 10. If the Eagles move back, maybe he makes some sense. I just question the fit.

*****

It isn’t all corners.

Some people love Ojulari. I have mixed feelings. He is very talented, but I just don’t think he is as disruptive on a consistent basis as he should be. I have a second round grade on him. He could go in the 30 to 40 range. There are other players I’d rather take at 30. If the Eagles move back, I’d be more comfortable.

 

 

That’s Ojulari at his best. I just don’t think we saw that enough.

*****

Witt is a highly athletic, but raw OL prospect. He started playing TE and moved to OT, playing both RT and LT. Witt would make a ton of sense for the Eagles to take a chance on. He will need time to develop. Lane Johnson will be playing a couple of more years. Witt might be ready to take over when Lane is ready to walk away.

I thought of Todd Herremans when I read about Witt. Herremans played at Saginaw Valley State (another small Michigan school) and got on the NFL’s radar when he played in the old Cactus bowl (was a D2 all star game). Herremans then had a lot of NFL people at his Pro Day and ended up being a fourth round pick. He played for the Eagles for a decade, moving from LT to LG to RG to RT. How’s that for versatile?

Would be pretty cool if history repeated itself and the Eagles took Witt and developed him into a starter.

Give DiBirds a follow on Twitter. He’s doing a great job of covering visits and the draft.

http://igglesblitz.com/2023/04/cb-prospect-update/

[PoconoDon]

Developing OL isn't a problem for the Eagles. Witt can't be more raw than Mailata was.

[EaglesAddict]

8 minutes ago, PoconoDon said:

Developing OL isn't a problem for the Eagles. Witt can't be more raw than Mailata was.

I saw some buzz about him a week or 2 ago.  Would be a perfect 7th round pick or priority free agent.