Eagles' Rowe takes field for rookie minicamp

The Eagles' top two picks lined up against each other on the first day of rookie minicamp on Friday, with second-round defensive back Eric Rowe covering first-round wide receiver Nelson Agholor during drills.

This was notable not only because the two players are expected to be contributors this year, but also because Rowe played cornerback.

When the two were last on a field together, Agholor played wide receiver for Southern California and Rowe played safety at Utah. Rowe, who has the ability to play both safety and cornerback, is starting his Eagles career at cornerback.

"Going against him gave me a little taste of what to expect from other teams," Rowe said.

Rowe is one of three defensive backs the Eagles drafted. The team also selected JaCorey Shepherd and Randall Evans in the sixth round. Shepherd is playing cornerback. Evans is playing both positions. The three are part of the team's overhaul in the secondary, which will include three new starters. The Eagles also signed cornerbacks Byron Maxwell, Walter Thurmond, and E.J. Biggers in free agency.

"They brought me in to help the defense, but not just me," Rowe said.

But Rowe has the best chance of playing defense early this season. When the Eagles drafted him, it appeared as if he could be the replacement for Nate Allen at safety that the team bypassed in free agency.

Rowe presents more long-term value at cornerback. His 6-foot-1, 205-pound frame fits the prototype the Eagles seek at the position.

The Eagles already have Thurmond, Nolan Carroll, and Brandon Boykin competing to start opposite of Byron Maxwell. Rowe will join that group this spring and summer.

"I can't say I'm going to be a starter in Week 1," Rowe said. "Definitely in the NFL, that's not how it works. You've got to earn your spot, you've got to earn your respect. Just like a freshman coming in college, you've got to learn from the people ahead of you."

Earl Wolff is the front-runner to start at safety next to Malcolm Jenkins, and the Eagles lack experienced depth at the position. So the team could determine to move Rowe over. As Kelly likes to say, there's still much time before the season begins on Sept. 14. But Rowe hopes the team assigns him to a position and keeps him there instead of a seesawing him between spots.

"I'm kind of expecting them to tell me . . . play corner [or] play safety," Rowe said. "It'll make it easier for me so I can focus on corner things or safety. If it happens at times this season where they need me to play safety, my mind-set would change. But it would be nice if they did tell me that."

Shepherd also played cornerback at practice on Thursday, as expected. The former Kansas standout converted from wide receiver during college and does not have safety experience. But he presents upside for a sixth-round pick because his draft stock was diminished by a poor 40-yard dash that he attributed to a torn hamstring.

Shepherd ran the test in 4.65 seconds and 4.68 seconds at his pro day. He said Friday he would not have run if he had to do it over again, and insists his speed is better than what the test revealed.

"There weren't too many times I got beat," Shepherd said. "It definitely motivates me going forward that that isn't the type of player, a 4.6.

Evans said he still does not know where he will play this season. The Eagles liked his versatility at Kansas State, where he has experience at outside cornerback, slot cornerback, and safety. A former college walk-on, his best path to the roster is showing the Eagles that he can contribute different ways.

"I still have that walk-on mentality," Evans said. "I'm not starting right now. I've still got to earn my position, got to earn the 53-man roster."

Rowe will not need to worry about a spot on the 53-man roster. He becomes the highest draft pick the Eagles spent on a cornerback since Lito Sheppard in 2002. The team has since slumped when drafting defensive backs, which was not lost on Kelly. He said the Eagles need to a better job of picking defensive backs so they're not forced to spend on the free-agent market.

"I really wasn't aware of that history," Rowe said. "I really don't feel that pressure of 'You're the guy, you've got to make plays.' I just feel like if I stay competing, stay working on my craft, it will all fall into place."

It started Friday. And his introduction to cornerback in the NFL came against a rookie receiver who could also be a Day 1 starter. How did Rowe look?

"I think he's a great player, very smart, good feet for his size," Agholor said. "To have that on film is great for me, because there are a lot of great corners in this league with the same similar body, so he helped me get better today."