​As ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler continues to reveal the top positional rankings for 2026, the Philadelphia Eagles have a strong presence on the Top 10 list of cornerbacks. The team drafted both Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean in 2024, and the duo quickly rose to All-Pro consideration by 2025. Now, as the 2026 season approaches, both players land among the top cornerbacks, with newcomer Riq Woolen also earning recognition from coaches and executives who participated in the voting.
Fowler notes in his piece that it’s only a matter of time before Mitchell enters the Top 3 of this position group, though one AFC executive cautions that Mitchell’s turnover numbers keep him from reaching the very top. “Well-rounded coverage game and very competitive against the opposing team’s No. 1,” the executive said. “Turnover production holds him back from the top of the group for me. Still, an excellent player.” The concern about turnovers is somewhat offset by Mitchell’s elite performance in other areas, as he consistently ranks among the league leaders in yards allowed per target and yards after the catch. Last season, he finished at No. 9 on this particular ranking, and his ascent could continue, even as at least one voter omitted him from their Top 10 entirely.
Not everyone shares the same enthusiasm for Mitchell’s current position on the list. Former mentor and coach Slay disagrees with the ranking, placing Mitchell at No. 4 among the league’s best cornerbacks. The debate highlights the variance in how voters weigh interception totals versus other aspects of a cornerback’s game.
Cooper DeJean has become a versatile asset for the Eagles, described as a “defensive Swiss Army knife.” Vic Fangio even indicated that DeJean will see more time at safety in the base defense this coming season, underscoring his value in multiple roles. Yet he remains a premier nickel cornerback and a critical piece of the Eagles’ success over the past two years. Fowler acknowledges that the process of categorizing DeJean’s position was challenging, but ultimately he appeared on the Top 10 list as a cornerback for more than half of the participants. A veteran NFC coach summed up DeJean’s versatility: “He holds his own at any position, on the inside or outside. He’s a corner because of the way he plays. The Eagles play a lot of man coverage, and he doesn’t shy away from anything. He has the range and speed to play outside all day, too. He’s a Swiss Army knife.”
Other players who received honorable mention include Kamari Lassiter, Joey Porter Jr., A.J. Terrell Jr., and Jaylon Johnson. Additionally, there were ten other cornerbacks who made the Top 10 rankings, including one of the Eagles’ newest contributors, Riq Woolen.
So, what’s your take on the rankings? Do you think Mitchell or DeJean were snubbed? Should Mitchell’s lower interception total impact his overall standing, or should other facets of his game carry more weight in the evaluation? Share your thoughts in the comments.