The Eagles’ safety picture looked like one of the trickier issues in camp, but it’s starting to tilt in a direction that may not favor Marcus Epps.
What had been a concern without Reed Blankenship is now shaping up as a strength, with Andrew Mukuba, Epps and Michael Carter II all drawing notice for strong work early in training camp. Mukuba, a second-round pick last year, looks like a near lock to open as a starter at safety. That leaves Epps and Carter battling for the other spot.
And Carter may be making the louder case.
Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio didn’t need prompting to bring him up when he talked to reporters about the defense. Fangio pointed to Carter’s flexibility and said he’s comfortable with what Carter can do right now.
"It's different at every position with every player," Fangio said. "You know, for instance, you know, Michael Carter right now, I mean, I feel good about him playing nickel, playing safety if need be.
Maybe some of the other DBs that are in that bag, not so yet, but that doesn't mean they won't get there. We don't have a lot of new young players on defense.
So most of the guys that are here have been with, have some background with us. So it should come, we should be able to make those decisions a little quicker."
That versatility matters. Carter came to Philadelphia last year after working as a solid slot corner for the New York Jets, and his NFL résumé shows a player who can handle himself. In 73 games, he has 26 pass deflections and two interceptions, and he has allowed a completion percentage over 67% just once in five seasons.
General manager Howie Roseman originally viewed Carter as a safety, and that still looks like the role he’s trending toward. Even more important for the Eagles, Carter is showing he can move around in Fangio’s defense in the same way Cooper DeJean has.
Epps, though, has earned his place in the conversation. He finished last season strong when Mukuba was hurt, and that late stretch helped him land another deal with Philadelphia and enter camp as an early favorite. In 12 games and four starts, Epps posted 21 tackles and one tackle for loss.
Still, Carter has pushed this into a real fight. He picked off Jalen Hurts this week and has stacked up several strong moments in camp, exactly the kind of surge that can swing a job battle.
This one may go all the way to the end of August. Nothing is settled yet, but Epps can’t exactly breathe easy anymore. Carter is making a serious run at the starting role.
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