In the last week, news broke saying that Jalen Mills will start out at Corner Back. This news shocked a lot of Eagles fans, as they were sure he would be a safety. As of now Malcolm Jenkins, Rodney McLeod, and Chris Maragos are the only safeties on the roster. It almost seemed like a perfect situation, Jalen Mills will learn under Jenkins and groom into a great safety. However, it is now known that he will be starting out playing Corner. Corner has not been the Eagles best position as of lately. The Eagles brought in players like Nnamdi Asomugha and Byron Maxwell to solve that issue; but we all know that did not work at all. Last season the Eagles drafted Eric Rowe who should be the number one corner this season. Jalen Mills will be a corner for the Eagles, and he will start at nickel. For a secondary who has struggled in the past, this season it should look quite good. Eric Rowe and Nolan Carroll start with Jalen Mills at nickel, players like Leodis Mckelvin and Ron Brooks will rotate in when needed.
Lets break down Jalen Mills. We know he is a quick and aggressive football player who works his best on the inside (nickel formation). Mills also can play corner and safety, as he did play both while at LSU. At the senior bowl he was really impressive in the corner drills. This is where the Eagles first became aware of Jalen Mills. Here is what an NFL scout had to say about Jalen Mills and his strengths:
“Agile feet with the recovery quickness to make-up false steps. Trusts his speed, bursting out of his stance to accelerate and close gaps. Swivel hips and fluid change of directions skills. Collects his footwork and stays balanced in his transition. Locates the ball in the deep half of the field and quickly gains correct body position. Improved route recognition with a good feel in space – knack for running routes better than receivers. Strong hands to contend passes at the catch point. Verbose team leader and accepted his expanded role as a senior. Four-year starter with versatile starting experience at cornerback, safety and nickel – also experienced as a gunner on special teams. Reliable work habits and pushed himself to return in only eight weeks following his Aug. 2015 leg injury.”
Everyone knows LSU has produced very good players. The Eagles even have a few on current team. More importantly, LSU produces very good secondary products. Some that come to mind are the following: Patrick Peterson, Tyrann Mathieu, Delvin Breaux, Ron Brooks, and Jalen Collins. Jalen Mills went to a college that breeds secondary players, not saying he will be a Patrick Peterson, but he will become a solid player for the Eagles.
Cory Undlin is a great defensive backs coach and Jalen Mills will have a great opportunity working with him. Everyone knows that Undlin was the Broncos secondary coach before coming to Philadelphia last season. Everyone also knows how good the Broncos secondary is. Eagles fans saw the immense steps Eric Rowe took last season with Undlin’s coaching. We also saw Nolan Carroll develop into a solid option at Corner Back last season for the Eagles. This has a lot to do with the work of Cory Undlin. Undlin will love working with a talent like Jalen Mills, and hopefully he will turn him into a great piece to our secondary. Eventually Jalen Mills might even move to the outside, especially if Carroll is not resigned again.
“Still, Mills is staying positive, especially considering his landing spot. The Eagles conducted a private workout with Mills before the draft, and Mills says he bonded with secondary coach Cory Undlin on the field and in the film room that day. When the Eagles called to tell him he’d be in Philly, memories of that workout resonated with Mills. The light came back on in my body. I was happy I got picked by this team. They bring a lot of energy, and that’s the type of people I want to play for.”
This is the perfect situation for Jalen Mills and the Philadelphia Eagles. He is a great prospect who somehow fell to the Eagles in the draft. Undlin and Mills bonded on their private workout, which is great to see. Hopefully Undlin will turn him into the Corner we all want and need. Maybe he is the answer to our problems, the potential is certainly there.
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