University of Utah cornerback Eric Rowe is set to join the Philadelphia Eagles after being taken with the No. 47 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. The Eagles traded up with the Miami Dolphins to pick Rowe, who is one of the most athletic defensive backs in the draft class.
NFL Draft results 2015: Eric Rowe taken by Eagles at No. 47
Eric Rowe is the newest Philadelphia Eagles player, going in the second round after the team traded up to grab him.
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Since the ascension of the "Legion of Boom" secondary in Seattle, big cornerbacks have been in vogue around the NFL. Rowe is the latest such corner to emerge out of Utah.
What separates Rowe from some of his former college teammates is the amount of athleticism he brings to the position. He finished among the best players at his position during the combine testing, and those traits reflect his play on the field. He has the long speed to keep up with deep threats as well as the quick feet to handle shiftier receivers. Because of his size (6’1, 205 pounds), he can be utilized as a blitzer as well.
The main concern with Rowe is his experience at cornerback. He played safety for the first three years of his college career, only shifting to the outside because of the dearth of options on Utah’s roster. While he performed well in that role, he still has room to improve, specifically with his tackling. Rowe plays too upright at times, allowing ball carriers to power through him.
Rowe’s combine numbers were astounding for a player his size: 4.45 40-yard dash, 6.70 3-cone drill, 39-inch vertical and 125-inch broad jump.
Rowe started 45 games during his college career but played in 47 total. He accumulated 261 tackles, seven tackles for loss and three interceptions during that time.
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