Philadelphia Eagles: Zech McPhearson a CB2 as a rookie?

The Philadelphia Eagles are going to need a significant impact early on from their 2021 NFL Draft class. The headliner for this class is obviously Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith who will play a crucial role in the Eagles’ offense, but the Philadelphia defense really needs a boost this season as well.

The Eagles’ pass defense gave up 27 touchdowns in the 2020 season and picked off just eight passes. Of those eight interceptions, just one came from the cornerback position (Darius Slay).

The presence of veteran Darius Slay didn’t have the effect on the entire secondary that the Philadelphia Eagles had hoped or envisioned when they traded for him. That unit obviously needed some upgrades but the Eagles went with a more modest approach in the 2021 offseason.

New defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon joins the Philadelphia Eagles staff after spending the past three seasons coaching up the defensive backs of the Indianapolis Colts. Specifically, Gannon coached the Colts’ cornerbacks, and that unit has some of the more underrated players in the NFL.

Not only did former first-round pick Xavier Rhodes find the fountain of youth with the Colts, but Kenny Young has developed into a stud and Rock Ya-Sin is a young player who has shown big-time potential.

The Eagles are going to hope that some of that magic from Gannon’s coaching rubs off on fourth-round pick Zech McPhearson, a former Texas Tech standout and Penn State transfer.

Zech McPhearson can steal CB2 duties for the Philadelphia Eagles

Nickell Robey-Coleman and his 600-plus snaps are gone. Avonte Maddox is penciled in as a starter along with Darius Slay, but Maddox with his size is probably better suited to playing inside as a nickel.

There are going to be snaps available for McPhearson, who is an outstanding athlete with a background in both basketball and baseball.

After struggling to produce for his first three college seasons — two at Penn State, one at Texas Tech — McPhearson exploded onto the scene this past year with four interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and 53 total tackles.

He may just have average size for the position, but he’s so well-rounded as an athlete and showed off fantastic ball skills and was kind of a ball magnet this past season with six turnovers in total.

There’s no question about the fact that the Philadelphia Eagles need a jolt in the secondary, and up to this point, they haven’t added anyone else besides McPhearson who might really challenge for CB2 duties or who should be considered a clear favorite for that role.

It’s not often you look at fourth-round picks in this light, but it may come out of necessity for the Eagles more than anything. If McPhearson can prove worthy of the role? Even better.