As ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler continues to roll out the top positional rankings of 2026, there were several Eagles included in the Top 10 cornerbacks list.
The Eagles drafted both Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean in 2024, and the duo quickly ascended to All-Pros in 2025. Now, as we head into the 2026 season, they both are named among the Top 10 of their position, with newcomer Riq Woolen also receiving some love from the coaches and executives who participated.
No. 6 – Quinyon Mitchell
Fowler admits in the article that it’s only
a matter of time before Mitchell cracks the Top 3 on this list, but one AFC executive pointed to his lack of turnovers for his current ranking.
“Well-rounded coverage game and very competitive against the opposing team’s No. 1,” an AFC executive said. “Turnover production holds him back from the top of the group for me. Still an excellent player.”
The turnovers don’t seem like a huge issue when Mitchell ranks among the best in the league in yards allowed per target and yards allowed after the catch. Last year, the Eagles CB landed at No. 9 on this list, but his continued climb might come with challenges after seeing at least one voter left him off their Top 10 entirely.
Slay doesn’t quite agree with Mitchell’s ranking, putting his former mentee at No. 4 on his list of best corners in the game.
No. 10 – Cooper DeJean
Cooper DeJean has become the Eagles’ defensive Swiss army knife and Vic Fangio even admitted DeJean will play more safety in their base defense this coming season. Still, he’s proven to be a top nickel cornerback, and invaluable to the Eagles success the past two years.
Fowler acknowledges in the article that they had a hard time deciding which position to list DeJean, but explained that he landed on the top CB list of over 50 percent of participants. One NFC coach explained why:
“He holds his own at any position, on the inside or outside,” a veteran NFC coach said. “He’s a corner because of the way he plays. [The Eagles] play a lot of man, and he ain’t shying away from nothing. He has the range and speed to play outside all day, too. He’s a Swiss Army knife.”
Full List of Top 10 CBs in 2026:
- Pat Surtain II
- Derek Stingley Jr.
- Christian Gonzalez
- Devon Witherspoon
- Trent McDuffie
- Quinyon Mitchell
- Denzel Ward
- Jaycee Horn
- Sauce Gardner
- Cooper DeJean
Other players who received honorable mention, include: Kamari Lassiter, Joey Porter Jr., A.J. Terrell Jr., Jaylon Johnson. There were also 10 other CBs who received Top 10 rankings, including one of the newest Eagles, Riq Woolen.
What do you think!? Were Mitchell or DeJean snubbed? Should Mitchell’s lack of interception affect his ranking? Let us know in the comments!
