Eagles linked to first-round CB drawing Samuel comparisons

Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Devon Witherspoon. Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles linked to first-round CB drawing Asante Samuel comparisons

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 2/26/23

With top cornerback James Bradberry set to hit free agency, the Philadelphia Eagles could be inclined to use one of their two first-round picks on his replacement.

With as many as five cornerbacks projected to be taken in the first round, NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah believes the Eagles would be wise to use their first selection, No. 10 overall, and grab arguably the top shutdown DB in the draft, Illinois’ Devon Witherspoon.

“An edge rusher wouldn’t surprise me here, but I think Witherspoon is the best corner in the draft,” Jeremiah said. “He reminds me a lot of former Eagles Pro Bowler Asante Samuel.”

If Bradberry leaves, Devon Witherspoon is the perfect replacement.

In 2022 he had 3 INT, 14 PBU, and only allowed a QB Rating of 24.6 when targeted.

Oh, and he can hit like this: pic.twitter.com/kvzD7iBpj0
— Word On The Birds (@WordOnTheBirds) February 19, 2023

Samuel, of course, played for the Eagles from 2008-11. During his tenure in Philly, he had 23 interceptions and 64 passes defensed, and he was named a Second Team All-Pro (2009) and a three-time Pro Bowler (2008-10).

Retiring after the 2013 season, Samuel ended his career with 439 tackles, 51 interceptions, 164 passes defensed, six defensive touchdowns, seven forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.

Should Bradberry hit the open market, Philadelphia is left with just three cornerbacks who played 200 or more snaps in coverage in 2022 — Darius Slay, Avonte Maddox and Josiah Scott.

Witherspoon was the best cover cornerback in college football in 2022, according to Pro Football Focus, allowing just 22 completions on 63 targets (34.9 completion percentage) for 206 yards with three interceptions, 18 forced incompletions and 14 pass breakups.

He was a consensus All-American and a First Team All-Big Ten selection, and he ended his college career with five interceptions and 30 pass breakups.

There aren’t many corners who can set the tone for a defense with their tackling.

Devon Witherspoon is one of them. He’ll lock your top receiver down on one play and then lay a huge hit on the next. https://t.co/IckVUA3h7R
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) February 20, 2023