The Eagles are in Indianapolis for the 2023 NFL scouting combine, and all eyes within the organization will likely be on impact defenders.
Brandon Graham, Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave, T.J. Edwards, Kyzir White, James Bradberry, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and Marcus Epps are all slated for free agency. It won’t be possible for the Eagles to bring them all back, especially once Jalen Hurts signs his new deal.
Philadelphia could look to draft a cornerback and safety with multiple free agents in the secondary.
We’ve previewed the edge rushers and linebackers who worked out on Thursday, and here are the takeaways from the defensive back portion of the events.
Data much improved
2023 Safety Athleticism Score Leaderboard 📋
With the official 40 times in, Daniel Scott (@CalFootball) and Jason Taylor II (@CowboyFB), currently sit atop the NGS athleticism score rankings pending shuttle drills. pic.twitter.com/cWUvUhxB9A
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) March 4, 2023
Next Gen Stats is now tracking player movement at the combine, giving NFL teams more information to decipher.
"Are they staying down that line initially… and can they close and go find the football?" says @MoveTheSticks on @nflnetwork.
NGS player-tracking data is changing the way teams can analyze on-field workouts at the #NFLCombine 💡 pic.twitter.com/0yuKajtTnk
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) March 3, 2023
DJ Turner
Howie Roseman likes speed and the Michigan cornerback captured the attention of everyone in Lucas Oil Stadium,
Michigan CB DJ Turner II is early leader for fastest player at 2023 NFL Scouting Combine after posting a time of 4.26 seconds in the 40-yard dash on Fridayhttps://t.co/c1poXaLdFl pic.twitter.com/WexkAPOwWU
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) March 3, 2023
Riley Moss
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) March 3, 2023
There had been predraft talk about a potential move to safety for Moss, but the Iowa cornerback erased any doubt about his speed at the next level.
Impressed in his media availability yesterday, and now he blazes. https://t.co/d5qeyeArob
— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) March 3, 2023
Most athletic DB
Official numbers for Maryland CB Deonte Banks
40-yard: 4.35 (92nd percentile)
Vert: 42” (97th percentile)
Broad: 11’4” (98th percentile)That athleticism absolutely shows up on tape as one of the best coverage players in that class. First round playerpic.twitter.com/ebfvn25dak
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) March 3, 2023
Maryland defensive back Deonte Banks impressed early and often, finishing as the most athletic player in his position.
2023 CB Athleticism Score Leaderboard 📋
The official 40 times are in. Pending shuttle numbers, @TerpsFootball teammates Deonte Banks (98) and Jakorian Bennett (97) currently sit atop the NGS athleticism score rankings.
Powered by @awscloud pic.twitter.com/MYafLCNOzs
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) March 3, 2023
Did Deonte Banks solidify himself as a first round pick?🔥 pic.twitter.com/qfKAKEJ3Ga
— PFF College (@PFF_College) March 3, 2023
Chris Gonzalez is CB!
4.38 on the second attempt for Christian Gonzalez🦆💨
— PFF College (@PFF_College) March 3, 2023
The Oregon cornerback staked his claim to being the top cornerback off the board.
As expected, CB Christian Gonzalez has looked awesome working out.
And the tape is equally impressive…why he is No. 5 overall in my top-100. https://t.co/ebe1qLcIkn
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) March 3, 2023
Emmanuel Forbes the next Darius Slay
Forbes patterns his game after Darius Slay and he’s a big-play cornerback in his own right.
Emmanuel Forbes looks up to Darius Slay, a fellow Miss. State product. The toughest WR he covered in the SEC? DeVonta Smith. pic.twitter.com/RqVFIkuYmJ
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) March 2, 2023
Forbes owns the FBS record with six career pick-sixes and is a three-year starter for the Bulldogs.
Hailstate!! https://t.co/QgRROMabhE
— Darius Slay (@bigplay24slay) March 3, 2023
Joey Porter Jr.
Listed at 6-2, 198 pounds, Porter is an aggressive cornerback that forced an incompletion on 38.2 percent of the throws where he was targeted in coverage this season.
Now teams know he has the speed to match.
.@PennStateFball DB Joey Porter Jr. with an impressive 4.47u.
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/GEKc597wKJ— NFL (@NFL) March 3, 2023
Kelee Ringo
One of the biggest corners in the draft, listed at 6-2, 210 pounds, Ringo is a former track athlete who s a big play waiting to happen.
The Georgia All-American has reportedly met with the Eagles in Indianapolis.
.@GeorgiaFootball boys continue to dominate the 40. 🐶
4.36u for DB Kelee Ringo.
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/F7e96y7A9L— NFL (@NFL) March 3, 2023
Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson
This year’s Jim Thorpe Award winner, Tre’Vius Hodges is a small cornerback that can be a shutdown player, he’s the nephew of TCU legend LaDainian Tomlinson, and the senior cornerback had three interceptions and 12 pass breakups this season.
Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson gotta be making his uncle @LT_21 proud with this 4.42u. @TCUFootball
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/sGDcKwVP3u— NFL (@NFL) March 3, 2023
Darius Rush
The other South Carolina cornerback showed that he has NFL-caliber speed to match with his versatility in coverage.
Rush, a former WR, has very good ball skills. Speed on top of that is fun. https://t.co/SFi8VjeZPn
— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) March 3, 2023
Jordan Battle
The Alabama safety is consistent in coverage and offers versatility at multiple positions.
.@AlabamaFTBL DB Jordan Battle with a solid 4.56u to kick off Group 5.
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/mrnVu5oHck— NFL (@NFL) March 3, 2023
Sydney Brown
Both Illinois safeties are solid and Brown helped himself tremendously.
Brown started 50 games for the Illini, and his brother, Chase, is a star running back in this draft class as well.
A swiss army knife at safety, Brown earned First-Team All-Big Ten playing a hybrid role.
.@IlliniFootball DB Sydney Brown with an explosive 4.49u. 👀
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/8UGRQLzBmO— NFL (@NFL) March 3, 2023
Jartavius Martin
Jartavius Martin's elite combine continues! 4.46 on his first attempt💨
— PFF College (@PFF_College) March 3, 2023
The Illinois safety put his athleticism and speed on display, boosting his stock.
Fastest 40 Times (Safeties):
🥇 Brandon Hill, Pittsburgh: 4.43s
🥈 Daniel Scott, California: 4.45s
🥉 Jartavius Martin, Illinois: 4.46s pic.twitter.com/6fMybOFoCj— PFF College (@PFF_College) March 4, 2023
