Eagles Draft Preview: The Safeties - Philly’s Biggest Need?

The Philadelphia Eagles have a significant need at the positions after losing starters C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Marcus Epps in free agency.

PHILADELPHIA - Bob Dylan wasn’t writing about the Philadelphia Eagles’ safety situation when he penned his 1960s hit “The Times They Are a-Changin,” but one of Rolling Stone’s greatest songs of all-time perfectly encapsulates what’s going on with the back end of the Philadelphia defense.

Gone are 2022 starters C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Marcus Epps as well as defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon and secondary coach Dennard Wilson.

The current placeholders for new defensive chief Sean Desai and D.K. McDonald, the current position coach elevated when Wilson decided to leave after being passed up for a promotion to DC, are 2022 undrafted rookie Reed Blankenship and prove-it player Terrell Edmunds.

Blankenship was a heck of a story last season, slowly working his way from training camp-longshot to the 53-man roster and then surpassing K’Von Wallace as the top backup at the position by impressing Wilson with his work behind the scenes.

When forced into action due to injury, Blankenship played so well that the Eagles started moving pieces to get him back on the field after Gardner-Johnson returned from a lacerated kidney and slot cornerback Avonte Maddox was injured.

When it was all said and done Blankenship played more than any other Eagles rookie in 2022-23 and produced, grading out as the No. 9 safety in the NFL per Pro Football Focus over 348 defensive snaps.

While just under 350 repetitions isn’t a large sample size, it’s not small either so the optimism surrounding Blankenship is built on a tangible foundation. He’s got tremendous instincts and a high-football IQ after starting for five years on the college level at Middle Tennessee State.

Edmunds, meanwhile, has significant starting experience for what has been a solid to good defensive over five seasons in Pittsburgh. The 2018 first-round pick didn't live up to that pedigree for the Steelers, though, setting in as a competent player, not a playmaker.

The Eagles settled for the former for a one-year, $2 million deal but the fit isn’t obvious on paper. More of a box safety, Philadelphia is typically searching for coverage ability at safety to fit the Vic Fangio-inspired defensive scheme that Nick Sirianni wants.

Justin Evans, another prove-it signing who was once an emerging starter in Tampa Bay before injuries derailed his career better fits that definition. Evans rebooted his career in New Orleans last season and showed some of the mirrored abilities the Eagles like when he toggled between safety and slot for the Saints.

The other safeties on hand are Wallace, who hasn’t developed as many had hoped but is an important part of the special teams. That’s also the wheelhouse of Andre Chachere, who adds some versatility after being cross-trained at safety and the slot.

Marquise Blair, a 2019 second-round pick in Seattle, was released on Monday in advance of the draft making the lengthy Tristin McCollum, who has corner/safety versatility, the lone developmental option on a futures deal.

DRAFT DAY BOTTOM LINE: The Eagles likely want to add to the room by the end of Day 2. Alabama’s Brian Branch looks like a tailor-made fit for this particular defense and he could even be in the mix for Day 1 at No. 30 overall especially if his underwhelming 40 times scare some teams in the lower 20s off.

EAGLES CORNERBACK DEPTH CHART:

LS - Reed Blankenship; Justin Evans; Andre Chachere

RS - Terrell Edmounds; K’Von Wallace; Triston McCollum

EAGLES TODAY TOP 10 (we asked three former NFL scouts for their top 10 at the position and came up with a cumulative list):

1. Brian Branch, Alabama

2. JL Skinner, Boise State

3. Antonio Johnson, Texas A&M

4. Ji’Ayir Brown, Penn State

5. Sydney Brown, Illinois

6. Quan Martin, Illinois

7. Jammie Robinson, Florida State

8. Jordan Battle, Alabama

9. Christopher Smith, Georgia

10. Jay Ward, LSU

Sleeper - Marte Mapu, Sacramento State

Boom or Bust - JL Skinner, Boise State

BUILDING THE PERFECT SAFETY

Coverage - Quan Martin, S, Illinois - Martin can (4.46 40) and also understands zone responsibilities.

Ball skills - Sydney Brown, Illinois - Brown got to move around more than Martin and he made plays with six picks and a host of plays from the box.

Closing - Brian Brach, Alabama - Branch disappointed many with his 40 time but his instincts make up for any perceived deficiency.

Run Support - Jordan Battle, Alabama - Battle drives to the football better than any other safety in the class.

Football IQ - Christopher Smith, Georgia - Georgia is typically known for its athletes and Smith is kind of the outlier but makes up for it above the shoulders.

PRE-DRAFT PROCESS NOTES:

-The Eagles were pretty quiet when it came to safeties and telegraphing any interest with the only known top-30 visit going to Jason Taylor of Oklahoma State, an early Day 3 pick on most independent draft boards. Philadelphia could push the issue if they really like the player or Howie Roseman will have to add some draft capital.

EAGLES POTENTIAL PICKS:

Day 1 - Brian Branch, Alabama

-You’ll hear a lot about the Eagles' history of NEVER taking a safety in the first round of the draft which dated back to 1936 and the first player ever drafted in Jay Berwanger. That’s daunting so most just cross the position off but Branch is more of an all-encompassing defensive back and an unreal fit for this defensive philosophy, He’s unlikely to make it to 30 but if he does the Eagles should pull the trigger.

Day 2 - Quan Martin, Illinois

-Other than Branch, Martin looks like the best Vic Fangio-like safety in this draft and the Eagle should be cognizant of that.

Day 3 - Jason Taylor, Oklahoma State

-The Eagles typically like Senior Bowl players, and Taylor found their radar there as a late addition. He’s got excellent size and produced at the college level so don’t be surprised if he’s a target with added capital on Day 3.

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-John McMullen contributes Eagles coverage for SI.com's Eagles Today and is the NFL Insider for JAKIB Media. You can listen to John, alongside legendary sports-talk host Jody McDonald every morning from 8-10 on ‘Birds 365,” streaming live on YouTube. John is also the host of his own show "Football 24/7 and a daily contributor to ESPN South Jersey. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen