‘Unpopular’ Eagles Rookie Pegged as Unexpected Breakout Player

Selected at No. 145 by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2025 NFL Draft, cornerback Mac McWilliams wasn’t exactly the team’s most high-profile pick.

Led by second-year phenoms Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, with Kelee Ringo, Eli Ricks and Adoree’ Jackson as depth behind them, corner is a position that’s already well-stocked for Philly. That doesn’t mean McWilliams won’t have an impact, though.

Jimmy Kempski of the Philly Voice was asked in his June 13 Q&A column if there were any “off-the-radar” players who could make an unexpected impact, and he chose three: free agent addition Josh Uche, returning fullback Ben VanSumeren — and McWilliams.

“Mac McWilliams was probably one of the more unpopular picks the Eagles made in the 2025 draft. Or maybe better stated, he was a guy who most fans had never heard of,” Kempski wrote, adding:

I liked what I saw from him in spring practices. McWilliams is probably the fifth player on the cornerback totem pole right now, and he’s also probably the backup slot corner behind Cooper DeJean. There are always injuries at cornerback, so I think McWilliams is going to play as a rookie.”

A Look Back at McWilliams’ College Career

GettyPhiladelphia Eagles cornerback Mac McWilliams could be breakout player as a rookie.

After spending his first three years as a reserve, in 2023, McWilliams started all 12 games at UAB. He finished with 52 total tackles (two for loss), nine PBUs, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. After that season, he entered the transfer portal.

McWilliams transferred to UCF for his final season of eligibility in 2024, playing under former UAB coach Gus Malzahn in the Big 12. In his lone season with the Knights, he recorded 32 tackles (seven for loss), a sack, two pass breakups and an interception. He was also named team captain and graded as UCF’s top defender by Pro Football Focus.

Despite his college production, some evaluators questioned McWilliams’s transition to the NFL due to his smaller physical stature. The 5-foot-10 corner has shorter arms (29 7/8 inches), leading to doubts about his ability to cover bigger receivers at the next level.

While his technique, speed (4.41‑second 40‑yard dash) and versatility—he can play both outside and in the slot—garnered praise, concerns persisted regarding ball-hawking (he had only two interceptions at UCF) and contested catch situations due to his lack of length.

Why Mac McWilliams Could Be a Surprise Breakout Candidate for Philadelphia Eagles in 2025

McWilliams has traits Philly’s defensive coordinator Vic Fangio values: He’s versatile, a solid tackler, and he has both football intelligence and special teams acumen. He projects as a slot/nickel corner and a special-teams contributor early in his NFL career, similar to the role Avonte Maddox played.

With veterans like Darius Slay Jr. gone and the possibility of DeJean potentially shifting outside, there’s a path for McWilliams to earn reps in dime packages and as the next man up. His willingness to fly downhill and support the run aligns well with Fangio’s aggressiveness, too.

While his physical profile raised some questions, early contributions on special teams and in the slot are a very realistic expectation. With development and continued growth, he could emerge as a reliable depth piece, maybe even with a chance for a bigger role in the future.