Philadelphia’s young cornerbacks could be key factors to winning on Sunday.
The Eagles are 5-2 and almost at the season midpoint. The team has only needed strong contributions from their top two rookies, which they absolutely have. Quinyon Mitchell has been excellent as a perimeter defender and Cooper DeJean has been one of the best nickel cornerbacks since starting there three weeks ago. How can they help the Eagles in this Week 9 showdown with the Jaguars?
Quinyon Mitchell potentially has another rookie to contain
Brian Thomas Junior is sixth in the NFL in receiving yards, averaging a crazy 17.4 yards per reception. While the Jaguars don’t have much to be excited at this point in the season, their first round rookie absolutely is a bright spot. The LSU product is already one of the best deep threats in the NFL and will threaten the Eagles defense. Thomas Jr. isn’t certain to play on Sunday but it is possible he suits up; old friend Doug Pederson declared him a game-time decision.
Philadelphia’s secondary has looked a lot better since the Week 4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers game, but that won’t stop the Jaguars from testing that unit. Mitchell has a big task when lining up across from BTJ and his performance could be a deciding factor in this game.
Cooper DeJean gets another great test
Cooper DeJean gets better by the week, but the Jaguars could be his biggest test yet. DeJean will probably see a lot of Evan Engram. Considering Engram is a too fast for most linebackers, it would make sense if the Eagles want their rookie nickel defender covering him.
