May 02, 2015
The Eagles have finally picked on day three of the 2015 NFL Draft. With their two picks in the sixth round, the Eagles drafted a pair of cornerbacks, JaCoery Sherpherd of Kansas and Randall Evans of Kansas State.
Last season, the Eagles gave up the third most pass plays of 20+ yards in the history of the NFL. In the 2015 draft, they have now drafted three cornerbacks (they took Utah CB Eric Rowe in the second round) to fix it.
Shepherd, like your typical Chip Kelly draft pick, has character in spades. He was announced as one of Kansas University's "Men of Merit," which recognizes "a group of students, faculty and staff positively defining masculinity through challenging norms, taking action and leading by example while making contributions to university and/or the community."
Here's a look into Shepherd's activity in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program:
Shepherd is 5'11, 199, and he ran just a 4.65 and 4.68 at his Pro Day. Shepherd's "bottom line, via NFL.com:
BOTTOM LINE Borderline height to be an outside cornerback and could be looked at as a slot cornerback. His lack of physicality against the run will hurt him with some teams, but his ball skills and college production over the last two years will catch a lot of eyes and gives him a very good shot at making a roster his rookie season.
Over the last three years at Kansas State, Evans had seven interceptions, 28 pass breakups, and an impressive five forced fumbles. At 6'0, 195, he has the prerequisite size the Eagles like in their corners, and he ran a 4.4 40 at his pro day.
The Eagles showed interest in Evans during the pre-draft process, as they reportedly brought him in for a visit to the NovaCare Complex. Evans' "bottom line," via NFL.com:
BOTTOM LINE Full-timer from the slot for Kansas State. Evans has produced noteworthy on-ball stats with his passes defensed and four interceptions in 2014 and his average of 66 tackles per season since 2012 shows his willingness to support the run. Evans shows plus football intelligence and is proactive in coverage rather than reactive, but his long speed is iffy on tape and and he looks best suited to play in zone coverage. Evans has a shot at getting drafted thanks to his size, production and pro-day speed.
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