Second-year safety Andrew Mukuba is set to be part of the Philadelphia Eagles’ starting duo this season, but the bigger question is who lines up next to him.
Right now, veteran Marcus Epps looks like the front-runner. Michael Carter II is also in the mix, while seventh-round rookie Cole Wisniewski remains an option if the door opens. Even with Cooper DeJean in the picture, the uncertainty at safety is obvious enough that Eagles fans are already looking beyond the current depth chart.
That conversation picked up in Zach Berman of The Athletic’s mailbag, where a reader known as “Jack B.” argued Philadelphia still needs another safety before the season. Berman agreed and said general manager Howie Roseman and the Eagles “will continue to monitor the market.”
He also pointed to three possible trade targets who could fit: Cleveland’s Grant Delpit, Arizona’s Budda Baker and Atlanta’s Jessie Bates.
“Marcus Epps and Michael Carter II will compete for a job this summer, with Epps the favorite based on the spring,” Berman wrote. “And he's a component, experienced starter. ...
But yes, the Eagles could look for a more dynamic player. When analyzing depth charts and understanding the trajectory of teams, three safeties who would make sense are Cleveland's Grant Delpit, Atlanta's Jessie Bates and Arizona's Budda Baker.”
Berman made clear he wasn’t saying any of those players are actually on the block. Still, he noted that Delpit, Bates and Baker all “fit the profile of safeties who could potentially be pried away.”
If the Eagles were choosing among them, Baker brings the most decorated résumé by far. He’s an eight-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro, signed through 2027, and has piled up 620 tackles since 2018, good for fifth in the league over that span. He also has six captaincies on his record, which says plenty about the leadership he brings along with his range and closing speed.
Bates offers a different kind of impact. He’s a turnover machine, with 27 interceptions since entering the league as a second-round pick in 2018, the second-most in that stretch behind only Kevin Byard III and Justin Simmons. The catch is that he’s headed toward unrestricted free agency next offseason.
Delpit may be the most intriguing name of the three. He turns 28 in September, is the youngest of the group, and is scheduled to reach the open market after 2026. Berman also pointed out that Cleveland already drafted his replacement, which makes Delpit look like the kind of buy-low target Philadelphia could chase if it wants to upgrade the position.
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