Damon Arnette | Ohio State
Size: 6’0″, 195 lbs.
Not huge, but a very physical corner. He’s got a nice, low center of gravity that makes him difficult to move. Long arms allow him to be disruptive even against bigger receivers.
Speed: 4.56 (40-yard-dash).
Fairly average in this regard, although respectable. He’s definitely not slow, but doesn’t have the top speed of some of the other corners on this list. Change of direction and lateral speed are good, but not great. That being said, he does have a good burst to the football and surprising closing speed with the football in the air. Fantastic ball skills and great technique at the point of catch allow him to be a problem even when seemingly beat.
Off Man: This section is pretty nit-picky, as Arnette’s game has very few flaws. He’s definitely more of a press-man corner, but his man coverage, in general, is very good. He’s very physical and makes it difficult to maintain timing. Off-man is probably one of his weaknesses, but that’s not saying much. A very solid all-around cover corner, Arnette would hold his own in any kind of coverage at the professional level. He’s got a really good break on the football, which would translate to off coverage. Nevertheless, he functions best when allowed to simply react and he can sometimes overthink when in off or zone coverage. His footwork is smooth, if not as quick as his counterparts.
Run Support: Easily one of the best corners in the class in this facet of the game. He’s a very solid tackler that loves to lay a hit and flex on you after he does it. A very savvy secondary defender in run support, he’s also not afraid to stick his nose into the tackle box to make a play. The one knock against him that keeps arising is that he can get caught up in traffic — a minor concern, but worth mentioning.
Bottom Line: Arnette is strong in all facets and his game doesn’t have any glaring holes. He’ll enter the league with a solid floor and an exciting ceiling. He could translate his skills to almost any defensive scheme, but Schwartz’s defense would be of the more difficult transitions. Teams that are looking for a day one starter may be willing to spend a higher pick on Arnette, which may cause him to leapfrog some of the other guys on this list. His inside-outside versatility would be a boon for a team that loves to move around in the secondary. Arnette is an underrated prospect overall, but I expect he’ll get drafted earlier than the media suggests — maybe even in the late first round.
A.J. Terrell | Clemson
Size: 6’1″, 195 lbs.
Terrell has good length for the position, but has a wiry frame. He’s susceptible to be overpowered and is more of a finesse player than a strong one. Still, he’s more than willing to play the physical game — just to varying results.
Speed: 4.42 (40-yard-dash).
His acceleration is really impressive. A burst-y athlete with springy breaks, he can quickly make a move to the football even when caught out of position. He’s got above-average long speed, but isn’t the fastest on the list. He’s a converted receiver and has ball skills to match. He’s long and disruptive. He could learn to get his head around quicker and can get grabby when he can’t locate the football. He does a really good job covering the deep thirds, which would come in handy when the Eagles go to cover 3.
Off Man: Terrell has the necessary athleticism to run with any receiver. He’s quick out of his breaks, although his change of direction can be tight sometimes. He can get antsy in off-man and make unnecessary breaks on the ball. This may show up on double moves. He could show more physicality throughout the route and do a better job of maintaining leverage. Overall, he’s very sticky and has a very good feel for space.
Run Support: Willing, and savvy, but could be more assertive. He likes to lower his shoulder as opposed to wrapping, which results in some big hits, but some misses as well. Physically limited in his ability to take on blockers, but usually has the quickness to slice through. He’s not afraid of the moment, but has some room for growth.
Bottom Line: Terrell is a very solid all-round cornerback prospect. He projects well in an off-man heavy scheme and has a knack for getting involved in the deep thirds. Both of these traits translate well to Jim Schwartz’s defense. I’m not really sure how he’ll be valued by other teams. Some may see him as an early starter, which would make him an expensive get for the Eagles. Not to disparage the young man, he’s a great prospect, I just don’t feel all that special about him in an Eagles’ uniform.
Noah Igbinoghene | Auburn
Size: 5’11”, 200 lbs.
Long-limbed with a thick build, Igbinoghene will come into the league with an NFL ready body. He’s a competitive athlete with an incredible motor and that shows up all over the field. He does not back down from a challenge and is not afraid to put his body on the line.
Speed: 4.48 (40-yard-dash).
Looks faster on film. He’s a former receiver, a highly touted one at that, and he looks as such. Acceleration, change of direction and lateral quickness are all high tier. He also has very impressive body control. He’s a very good mover, but the nuances of the position — footwork, hip fluidity, false steps — are still a work in progress. Ball skills are a work in progress, but the physical traits are all there. He can find the football like a wide receiver when attacking upfield, but he’s still uncomfortable with his back to the LOS. That is an area that should develop quickly.
Off Man: Shows a lot of stuff to like, but he’s clearly new to the position. The athletic traits are all there, but it will take some practice to develop the technique. He’s a very fluid athlete with good burst, which translates well to off-man. He will bite on fakes and play action, but more due to inexperience than glaring concerns in tendency.
Run Support: He’s a very willing participant and will make plays simply off effort. Tackling technique still needs some work, but he’s physical and will lower his shoulder — although he has the tendency to throw himself at the ball carrier. He also has jarring hands that help him work off of blocks.
Bottom Line: For only playing two years at the position, Igbinoghene is a tantalizing prospect. He has a very high ceiling if developed well. The Eagles do not have a great track record with bringing along young corners, but that could change with new faces in the coaching staff. If the team is able to secure one or two starting corners in free agency, Igbinoghene could be a project to develop for the future. In the meantime, he has great value as a gunner on special teams. His draft projection is all over the map, but will likely be a day two guy.
Continued on the pages below.
Mandatory Photo Credit: AP Photo/AJ Mast
