Philadelphia Eagles: Zech McPhearson isn’t your typical Day 3 CB
For the second time in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles addressed the defensive side of the ball by selecting Zech McPhearson, cornerback out of Texas Tech 123rd overall, and I think I can speak for the entire fanbase when I say it’s about flippin’ time.
Even with the new number 2, Darius Slay, locked in as the team’s moveable number, the Eagles simply didn’t have three cornerbacks capable of starting this small, which is pretty darn important, considering the 11 personnel group is essentially base package for the majority of teams around the league.
Even if McPhearson is a tad undersized for what fans expected the prototypical Jonathan Gannon corner to look like – measuring in at 5-foot-11, 191 pounds – he’s still a more than capable do-it-all DB who picked off four passes during his final season at Texas Tech.
But who is Zach McPhearson, and where does he fit in with the 2021 Philadelphia Eagles? Let’s take a look and try to find out.
Zech McPhearson’s path to the Philadelphia Eagles was anything but ordinary.
More from Section 215
- 4 Eagles on the Bubble Who Have Clinched Their 53-Man Roster Spots
- Best Pennsylvania Sportsbook Promos: Win $650 GUARANTEED Bonus PLUS $100 off NFL Sunday Ticket
- 3 Punters the Eagles Must Target to Replace Arryn Siposs
- Cowboys Trey Lance Trade Proves How Screwed They Are With Dak Prescott
- Devon Allen Took Britain Covey’s Job on Eagles
A four-star recruit out of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, Zach McPhearson initially signed with Penn State in 2015 after being courted by everyone from Alabama to Clemson, Ohio State, Michigan State, and even Pitt.
After redshirting as a true freshman, McPhearson saw action in 24 games for the Nittany Lions from 2017-18 but mostly as a special teamer/deep reserve. This inspired McPhearson to explore other options, and after entering the transfer pool as a graduate, he opted to take his talents to the collegiate home of Patrick Mahomes and Zhaire Smith to try to right his football career with the Red Raiders.
Based on his selection in the fourth round, it’s pretty safe to say that decision was pretty, pretty good.
Immediately inserted into Keith Patterson’s defensive backfield, McPhearson started all 12 games for Tech as a junior and nine more as a senior. He played with good vision, especially in zone coverage, and was one of the rare college cornerbacks who moved around from the slot (164) to the outside (1,216 snaps) depending on the matchup.
As a senior, McPhearson was named a captain, finished out the season as a member of the All-Big 12 first team, and now, after turning in a solid Pro Day headlined by a 4.53 40 yard dash, a 41-inch vertical, a 130-inch broad jump, and a shuttle run recorded at 4.00 flat, McPhearson is heading to South Philly to compete in a wide-open CB competition for a starting spot in 2021.
Assuming he can translate his game from Texas Tech to the pros as well as he transitioned it from PSU to TT, there’s little reason to believe the 23-year-old couldn’t immediately come in and compete with Avonte Maddox for a starting spot on the outside, with the “loser” kicking inside to play in the slot. Between the two, Maddox is certainly faster, but McPhearson unquestionably gets the nod for his size, length, and 83-inch wingspan.
If I had to make some weird prop bet, I’d wager McPhearson is starting by the bye-week – or midseason, whichever is later – and holds up fairly well in coverage against the WR2s of the NFC East and beyond; he’s about as pro-ready as you’ll find in the fourth round.
Next. Milton Williams is a classic Howie Roseman pick. dark
So after getting into a, shall we say, unusual interaction with Tom Donahoe for losing Aaron Robinson to the New York Giants, Howie Roseman walked away with a viable inside/out cornerback contender for the low, low price of a fourth-round pick. After whipping away a bit of the shine rightfully earned for drafting Devonta Smith in the first round by making two less than universally popular picks, the Philadelphia Eagles got it right in the end and can go on to select BPA for the rest of the draft… right?