The Philadelphia Eagles selected Rasul Douglas late in the third round of Friday night’s NFL draft, pairing the West Virginia cornerback with a franchise only 90 minutes from his hometown of East Orange, N.J.
Douglas became the first Mountaineers player chosen this year, off the board at No. 99 overall among the cluster of compensatory picks.
Earlier Friday night, the Eagles used their second-round pick on another cornerback, Washington’s Sidney Jones.
“Douglas is a long corner. Exactly what (defensive coordinator) Jim Schwartz likes,” said NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock.
Howie Roseman, Philadelphia’s executive vice president of football operations, told reporters he had worried about missing out on Douglas ever since the Eagles swapped the 74th pick to Baltimore for defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan three weeks ago.
Douglas took second-team AP All-American honors last season after his eight interceptions tied for the national lead. He’ll join former WVU teammate Wendell Smallwood on the Eagles’ roster.
When the draft resumes Saturday afternoon, West Virginia center Tyler Orlosky anticipates being selected, potentially followed by Noble Nwachukwu, Shelton Gibson, Christian Brown, Daikiel Shorts and Rushel Shell.