Eagles Trade Up, Select DB Eric Rowe

The Eagles moved up five spots in the second round and selected Utah defensive back Eric Rowe.

To slide up, they sent both of their fifth-round picks (Nos. 145 and 146) to Miami and got a sixth-round pick (191) in return.

Rowe (6-1, 205) was a four-year starter, appearing in 45 games for the Utes (9 at corner, 36 at safety). Rowe said that while he is comfortable playing both positions, he prefers corner. Kelly suggested that he may start out at the corner spot.

“We think he can do a lot of things. That was the thing about him,” said Kelly. “Versatility is one of the things you look at. And then from a height-weight-speed parameter, he’s kind of off the charts in terms of what he can do from a physical standpoint. There was a lot of things that stood out for him. We’ll get him here, throw him in the mix with the guys we have in the secondary and then figure it out at that point in time.”

Here’s the spider chart comparing him to other cornerbacks:

On Mock Draftable, you can also view his numbers against safeties.

His build and skill set check the boxes for both the safety and corner positions.

“He’s a press corner. He’s that big, physical press corner we’re looking for. He’s over 205 pounds, long arms, physical. And I think that’s why Utah moved him outside,” said Kelly.

Rowe earned honorable mention All Pac-12 honors as a corner in 2014 and finished with 13 pass break-ups — the third-most ever by a Utah player.

He has just three career interceptions but has registered 34 passes defensed. He also racked up 261 tackles in 47 games, including seven tackles for a loss.

“I’m a competitor. I love to hit, love to come on the blitz and tackle. And on the press man, I love to take charge at the line of scrimmage,” Rowe said in a conference call with the Philly media. “I would say I’m an aggressive corner.”

Rowe said he likes to study tape on Darrelle Revis and Joe Haden “and how patient they are at the line of scrimmage.”

The Spring, Texas native said he sensed the Eagles really liked him during the pre-draft process. The Lions, Steelers and Dolphins also showed strong interest, he said. Miami made the trade with the Eagles, so apparently they weren’t too concerned. But with lots of trade activity and Detroit (54) and Pittsburgh (56) lingering, Kelly decided to make a move.

Rowe said he was taken by the Eagles’ culture during his visit and was hoping he’d get a call from a 215 area code.

“After I left my visit, I was like, ‘Man, I want to go here so bad.’ But you know, it’s not like college where I get to pick.”

So Kelly picked him.