Feb 27, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Central Florida defensive back Mac McWilliams (DB21) during the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tanner Pearson-Imagn Images
Mac McWilliams got a little bit of a raw deal on his big NFL Draft moment.
Minutes before the Philadelphia Eagles selected the cornerback out of UCF with the 145th overall pick, the Cleveland Browns traded up to pick 144 and selected Colorado's Shedeur Sanders. Sanders' fall from expected first-round selection to fifth-rounder has been the biggest story of this year's draft.
From our NFL Draft coverage: The #Browns traded over the #Eagles to take QB Shedeur Sanders. pic.twitter.com/QvRdy7zNCJ
Poor Mac McWilliams. Went the pick after Shedeur and didn’t get one word said about him lol
McWilliams, 23, started 11 games for UCF in 2024, registering 32 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, two pass break-ups, and a forced fumble. The 5'10", 191 lb. CB ran a 4.41 40-yard dash at the combine.
Mac McWilliams one-on-one at the Senior Bowl 🔥
pic.twitter.com/5Bc7LrBw51
The Birds have now drafted a defensive player with each of their first four picks.
Eagles clearly prioritized backfilling their missing defensive depth.
Josh Sweat ➡️ Jihaad Campbell
CJ Gardner-Johnson ➡️ Andrew Mukuba
Milton Williams ➡️ Ty Robinson
Avonte Maddox ➡️ Mac McWilliams
McWilliams may not be the story of the day, but he will have a chance to make his own headlines with the defending Super Bowl champions.
