Pro Football Focus spotlights Eli Ricks impressive rookie debut

Philadelphia Eagles rookie Eli Ricks had a night to remember in his preseason debut versus the Baltimore Ravens. The Eagles fell short in the 20-19 effort but the former undrafted free agent showed NFL fans exactly why he was potentially the post-draft steal of the year.

The rookie corner hauled in a pick-six off the Baltimore Ravens to bring the Eagles within a point in the fourth quarter of their preseason opener.

Pro Football Focus revealed that Ricks graded out to a 96.7 after allowing just one catch for seven yards on four targets. He also had a pass breakup on top of the pick-six.

Eli Ricks in his NFL debut:

🦅 96.7 PFF Grade
🦅 4 Targets
🦅 1 Catch Allowed (7 Yards)
🦅 1 INT | 1 PBU pic.twitter.com/LGc4ZCYRGn

— PFF College (@PFF_College) August 13, 2023

Second-year Ravens quarterback Anthony Brown attempted to complete an out on the near sideline to wideout Sean Ryan. Matching the receiver while reading Brown’s eyes beautifully was Ricks.

With a single foot in the ground, he changed directions and drove on the ball, intercepting it before ferrying it 30 yards into the end zone.

The Eagles went for a two-point conversion but did not get it, leaving the Ravens with a slim 20-19 lead.

After the game, Ricks said he didn’t end up taking the ball that he stole from Baltimore.

“I plan on getting much more picks in my career,” Ricks said, “so they can have that one.”

Undrafted Ricks off to hot start in Philadelphia

After a solid college career in the SEC, Ricks went undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft. Injuries hampered him throughout his 2022 season at Alabama. In his last two years of college, Ricks appeared in just 15 games.

Ricks starred as a freshman at LSU, intercepting four passes in 11 games, including a pair of pick-6s. However, injuries slowed him the next two seasons at LSU and then with the Crimson Tide after transferring.

Despite the unexpected start to his NFL journey with the draft, Ricks is so far putting on a show for the Eagles. He’ll get another opportunity to wow on Thursday night with the second preseason game versus the Cleveland Browns. The Browns won the Hall of Fame game against the Jets but lost this week in a 17-15 slog versus the Commanders.

“I had a rough year last year so I was really waiting for my opportunity to show the world who I am still,” Ricks said. “I’m healthy now. I’m all the way ready to go.”

His big play on Saturday brought back one of the cornerback’s all-time nicknames: Pick-Six Ricks.

“At least I know it still works. I hope I keep that name forever,” Ricks said. “I just gotta keep making plays. That’s all I’m worried about.”

On3’s Andrew Graham contributed to this report.