The Philadelphia Eagles are making waves in free agency, particularly with a significant shake-up at the safety position. In a move that caught the attention of fans and analysts alike, the Eagles traded safety Sydney Brown to the Atlanta Falcons.
This deal also involved swapping picks in the fourth and sixth rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft. Not long after the trade was announced, the Eagles secured agreements with Marcus Epps and JT Gray, with Epps returning for his sixth season in Philadelphia.
Brown's departure wasn't entirely unexpected given his struggles last season. With Andrew Mukuba, who made a strong impression starting 10 games as a rookie, the Eagles are looking to bolster their secondary. Epps’ return adds depth, but Philadelphia still needs a starting-caliber player to solidify their safety lineup for the upcoming season.
The Eagles' secondary has been undergoing a transformation this offseason. Reed Blankenship, a former starter, signed with the Houston Texans, leaving Mukuba as the primary starter.
Although Epps filled in after Mukuba’s injury, his performance was less than stellar, with a 56.2 overall grade and allowing all five targets to be caught for 72 yards, according to Pro Football Focus. This indicates that relying on him as a starter might not be the best strategy.
One potential option for the Eagles could be moving Michael Carter II to safety, though his recent performance raises questions about the viability of this move. With Andre’ Sam and Brandon Johnson as the only other safeties on the roster, the Eagles have some work to do to fill the gap left by Brown.
In terms of free agency, the Eagles might explore options like Donovan Wilson, Kyle Dugger, and Xavier Woods, who are some of the top safeties available. However, if the Eagles opt against a high-profile signing, they might turn to the draft, which is rich with promising prospects.
The consensus mock draft suggests players like Toledo’s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren could be available when the Eagles pick 23rd overall. Other potential picks include Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman, LSU’s A.J. Haulcy, and USC’s Kamari Ramsey, all of whom are within reach according to draft projections.
With nine picks in the upcoming draft, thanks to their recent trade with the Falcons, the Eagles are poised for a potential youth movement on defense. It’s highly likely that one of those picks will be used to address the safety position, aiming to fortify a secondary that’s seen significant changes in recent weeks.