One of the biggest mysteries heading into the start of Philadelphia Eagles training camp is who will be starting opposite Byron Maxwell this season. People have voiced their opinions. Some say it should be Nolan Carroll, others say it should be second-round pick Eric Rowe and there is even a cult of people suggesting that the job should go to sixth-round rookie JaCorey Shepherd. While those guys might be effective playing on the outside, there’s a guy named Brandon Boykin who I know can be effective there.

All Boykin has done since being drafted in 2012 is thrust himself into the conversation as one of the best slot corners in all of football. While he’s small in stature, he’s big in playmaking ability. But that doesn’t seem to be good enough for Eagles defensive coordinator Billy Davis.

Davis likes his corners long, typically 6-foot or above. At only 5-foot-10, Boykin doesn’t fit the mold. While he plays like a 6-footer, his measurables don’t support it.

Guys, size isn’t everything.

(Awkward silence)

Looking at the numbers, Boykin is easily the best corner on the team. Every year since being drafted, Boykin has been highly ranked by Pro Football Focus as one of the league’s top corners, being ranked as high as No. 12 in 2013 when he had six interceptions and 16 pass deflections.

For his size, Boykin brings every bit of physicality that you want to see from your starting corner. Many believe that at only 5-foot-10 (which isn’t even all that short to begin with), Boykin will allow balls to sail over his head against larger receivers. While that may be true, Boykin’s leaping ability is unparalleled. Don’t believe me, there are tons of videos of Boykin throwing down massive dunks over and over and over again from his high school basketball days. It’s actually pretty insane.

Looking at his competition, there really isn’t anyone who can play at the level that Boykin can. Carroll, the favorite to win the starting job, has been an NFL starter with the Miami Dolphins before the Eagles picked him up last year, which is always good. Starting experience is certainly a positive, but he was never really all that great when he did start. He’s not bad, but last season the best he could do was play mostly in the dime package. That’s a head-scratcher. And let’s not forget, Carroll had every chance to win a starting role last season, but when you can’t beat out Bradley Fletcher for a starting spot, there’s a problem.

Rookies Rowe and Shepherd are looking good. Some are even calling Shepherd the steal of the draft based on his performance in minicamps this spring. While they both have promise, coming in as a rookie corner and winning a starting job right off the bat is extremely difficult. It would be reckless to give either of them a starting job without indisputable evidence that they can handle the load, and as of now, there is no evidence.

There is no reason why Boykin shouldn’t win the starting cornerback spot opposite Maxwell. Davis has expressed that Boykin will have every opportunity to win the job. If that’s true then there really is no contest. He has the physicality and football smarts necessary to be an elite corner and his height should not be an issue. The Eagles should do the right thing and write him in as the starter.

Ryan Quigley is a Philadelphia Sports Writer for www.RantSports.com covering the Philadelphia Eagles and the Philadelphia Flyers. Follow him on Twitter @Quigs311 or add him to your network on LinkedIn.