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Eagles remain unsettled at cornerback

At this time last year, it was beginning to become clear who would start at cornerback. Even though the Eagles held a competition, Nolan Carroll had separated himself to start opposite of Byron Maxwell.

This spring, Maxwell is no longer on the team and Carroll is not yet a full participant in organized team activities while he recovers from a leg injury. And the starting cornerback competition appears wide open.

At last week's practice, Leodis McKelvin and Ron Brooks lined up with the first-team defense. Both are former Bills who played under Jim Schwartz and understand his defense. Eric Rowe, who is likely to be a starter this season, lined up with the second-team defense but played with the first-team in nickel situations, when Brooks bounced inside. The Eagles did not have Carroll or JaCorey Shepherd for team drills, so it's still too early to get a sense of the depth chart. Even the players are curious to see what materializes.

"It's not clear at all," safety Malcolm Jenkins said last Tuesday. "A lot of guys are jockeying for position, guys are making plays. I think Eric Rowe had a pretty good day, Leodis is obviously a veteran that can play and made some plays today. A lot of guys are playing well. We're looking forward to seeing what JaCorey Shepherd can do when he gets back. Nolan Carroll will come back. There's a lot of depth, a lot of competition. And you're waiting to see who emerges from the pack."

Another question is what the Eagles do in the slot. Jenkins was the Eagles' top nickel cornerback last season, but he thinks the Eagles will see who else is able to fill that role. Jenkins does not expect to take snaps in the slot until the end of the training camp so the Eagles can evaluate their options in the nickel.

Cornerback is probably the Eagles' most unsettled position at this point – and it might be their biggest weakness. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz relies on man-to-man coverage, so that will be a key in the evaluation. Here is who they have on the depth chart:

Eric Rowe, 6-1, 205: The 2015 second-round pick started five games last season after Carroll's injury. He progressed as the season waned, and showed reasons to believe he can be a starting cornerback in the league. Rowe has the size-speed combination with press coverage ability that is desired in today's NFL.

Nolan Carroll, 6-1, 205: Carroll won a starting job last offseason and impressed through the first three months of the year before a leg injury ended his season. That also hurt his market as a free agent, and Carroll re-signed a one-year deal hoping to re-establish his market. The 29-year old has started 38 games in six NFL seasons.

Leodis McKelvin, 5-10, 185: The most experienced cornerback on the roster, McKelvin is a 2008 first-round pick who started 60 games in eight seasons with Buffalo. McKelvin does not have elite size or ball skills, but his coverage ability and athleticism are why he's been productive. McKelvin can play both outside and in the slot, and he knows Schwartz's defense. He was the Eagles' top offseason acquisition at the position.

Ron Brooks, 5-10, 190: Another Buffalo import with knowledge of Schwartz's scheme, Brooks started only one game in four years. When they signed him, he seemed to be a good option as an experienced depth cornerback that can contribute on special teams. That could be how he's best used, but a good spring and summer could keep his name in the mix.

Jaylen Watkins, 5-11, 194: A 2014 fourth-round pick who did not make the team out of the preseason last year but eventually re-signed following Carroll's injury, Watkins had meaningful playing time in two games last season. There's no guarantee he makes the roster, but a new coaching staff is a fresh start for the Florida product. He can also play safety, where he was used at practice last week.

JaCorey Shepherd, 5-11, 199: Shepherd impressed the coaching staff so much last spring that he had the first shot at becoming nickel cornerback after Brandon Boykin was traded before training camp. It did not last long – Shepherd tore his ACL early in camp and did not even play in a preseason game. An injury hurt his pre-draft stock, but the previous coaching staff liked his coverage ability and ball skills.

Denzel Rice, 6-0, 196: Rice beat out draft picks such as Watkins and Randall Evans to make the 53-man roster last summer. He was mostly a special teams contributor as a rookie, but his play last preseason was encouraging for the Eagles.

Jalen Mills, 6-0, 196: The seventh-round pick was a four-year starter at LSU who can safety and cornerback. The Eagles appear to be starting him at cornerback.

Randall Evans, 6-0, 195: After spending most of last season on practice squad, the 2015 sixth-round pick will try to make the team as a cornerback-safety hybrid.

Aaron Grymes, 5-11, 185: A former CFL standout, Grymes lined up with the second-team defense last week.

C.J. Smith, 5-11, 189: The only undrafted rookie cornerback to sign after the draft, Smith was Carson Wentz's teammate at North Dakota State.