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Though it didn't seem like it at the time, Kelee Ringo entered the NFL expecting to eventually develop into a starting cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles. Three seasons later, that projection remains more hopeful than realistic, and the question has shifted from whether he can start to whether he can secure a place on the 53-man roster. Last offseason, it appeared Ringo would have an opportunity to compete with Adoree' Jackson for a starting role. Neither player separated himself early, and the Eagles eventually continued searching for answers. Jackson ultimately won the job and turned in a respectable campaign, while Ringo remained a depth piece whose role was defined more by potential than production.
The biggest challenge facing Ringo isn't simply his own development. It's the growing number of players Philadelphia has added around him.
Since selecting Ringo in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Eagles have invested heavily in the secondary. Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, and Mac McWilliams have all been added through the draft. The front office also acquired Jaire Alexander, Jakorian Bennett, Michael Carter II, and signed Riq Woolen to a $15 million deal this offseason.
Alexander retired. Bennett and Carter are still on the roster, though the expectation this offseason is that Carter will compete to win a job as a safety. While Ringo isn't solely responsible for those moves, they do suggest the organization has continued searching for solutions at cornerback rather than fully embracing him as one. The concerns are understandable. Outside of a memorable Christmas Day performance against the New York Giants during the 2023 season, a game in which he logged 51 defensive snaps and secured a game-saving interception, Ringo has rarely looked consistently comfortable in coverage.
Despite his shortcomings, writing Ringo off would be premature. He has appeared in 51 regular-season games and has become one of Philadelphia's more reliable special teams contributors. That value matters, particularly when roster decisions come down to the final few spots.
Quinyon Mitchell, Riq Woolen, and Cooper DeJean are roster locks, and with Carter potentially factoring into the safety conversation, Ringo's primary competition appears to come from Bennett, Jonathan Jones, McWilliams, Tariq Castro-Fields, Kapena Gushiken, and Ambry Thomas for what feels like three spots on the initial 53-man roster.
If the Eagles had to announce that roster today, Ringo would likely still make the cut. However, entering a contract year, he may be approaching a critical point in his career. His special-teams value continues to earn him opportunities, but eventually the Eagles will need more evidence that he can be part of their long-term future in the secondary.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Where does Kelee Ringo fit into the Eagles' plans for the future?
Continue reading...
The biggest challenge facing Ringo isn't simply his own development. It's the growing number of players Philadelphia has added around him.
Another crowded Eagles cornerback room for Kelee Ringo to compete with
Since selecting Ringo in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Eagles have invested heavily in the secondary. Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, and Mac McWilliams have all been added through the draft. The front office also acquired Jaire Alexander, Jakorian Bennett, Michael Carter II, and signed Riq Woolen to a $15 million deal this offseason.
Alexander retired. Bennett and Carter are still on the roster, though the expectation this offseason is that Carter will compete to win a job as a safety. While Ringo isn't solely responsible for those moves, they do suggest the organization has continued searching for solutions at cornerback rather than fully embracing him as one. The concerns are understandable. Outside of a memorable Christmas Day performance against the New York Giants during the 2023 season, a game in which he logged 51 defensive snaps and secured a game-saving interception, Ringo has rarely looked consistently comfortable in coverage.
Why fans shouldn't give up on Kelee Ringo yet
Despite his shortcomings, writing Ringo off would be premature. He has appeared in 51 regular-season games and has become one of Philadelphia's more reliable special teams contributors. That value matters, particularly when roster decisions come down to the final few spots.
Quinyon Mitchell, Riq Woolen, and Cooper DeJean are roster locks, and with Carter potentially factoring into the safety conversation, Ringo's primary competition appears to come from Bennett, Jonathan Jones, McWilliams, Tariq Castro-Fields, Kapena Gushiken, and Ambry Thomas for what feels like three spots on the initial 53-man roster.
If the Eagles had to announce that roster today, Ringo would likely still make the cut. However, entering a contract year, he may be approaching a critical point in his career. His special-teams value continues to earn him opportunities, but eventually the Eagles will need more evidence that he can be part of their long-term future in the secondary.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Where does Kelee Ringo fit into the Eagles' plans for the future?
Continue reading...
