The reigning Super Bowl champions used the draft to address immediate needs across their defense, but they waited until the fifth round to select a cornerback—leaving the door wide open for Kelee Ringo to claim a starting role in 2025. ESPN’s Ben Solak spotlighted the 2023 fourth-round pick in his “100 things to know” about the upcoming season, labeling Ringo as one of the top players to watch as training camp approaches.
The timing for a breakout could not be better. Though he’s played fewer than 400 defensive snaps in his first two NFL seasons, Ringo just turned 23 years old—putting him in the same age bracket as many incoming rookies. He brings elite athleticism to the table, headlined by a 4.36-second 40-yard dash that made him one of the fastest defensive backs in his draft class.
Philadelphia traded a 2024 third-round pick to move up and select Ringo out of Georgia, a move general manager Howie Roseman justified by expressing confidence in Ringo’s long-term development. That patience appears to be paying off. At 6-foot-2 and 207 pounds, Ringo has spent the past two seasons learning NFL schemes and refining his technique while maintaining his high-end physical tools.
The roster turnover in the Eagles’ secondary has opened the door for his potential rise. Darius Slay was released, while Isaiah Rodgers and Avonte Maddox departed in free agency. With first-round pick Quinyon Mitchell locked into one corner spot, the competition for the other is Ringo’s to lose.
Film from last season shows flashes of sticky man coverage and smart zone discipline. Opposing quarterbacks rarely targeted Ringo in 2024 when he saw the field, a sign of the respect he earned in limited opportunities. As spring practices ramp up, Ringo is expected to battle veteran Adoree’ Jackson for the starting role, but all indications point to Ringo entering camp as the frontrunner.
In a season where the margin for error is slim and the target on their backs is enormous, the defending champs are counting on homegrown talent like Ringo to take the next step. His emergence could be the final piece that keeps the Eagles’ defense at a championship level.