Howie Roseman SZN: The Safeties

Who stays, who goes? Expect C.J. Gardner-Johnson back and Marcus Epps to move on with Reed Blankenship earmarked as a potential 2023 starter.

The Eagles had a dramatic change at the safety position in 2022 that worked out very nicely, moving away from veterans Rodney McLeod and Anthony Harris to first-time starter Marcus Epps and late-summer trade acquisition C.J. Gardner-Johnson.

Epps, a one-time waiver pickup from Minnesota, was the defensive ironman for the with 1,096 snaps, 99 percent of the team’s total, and was steady if unspectacular, starting all 20 games through the Super Bowl LVII loss to Kansas City.

Epps, 27, was better early than late and finished with 92 tackles, six passes defenses, and a forced fumble.

Opposite Epps was Gardner-Johnson, who was acquired on Aug. 30 of last year from New Orleans, along with a 2025 seventh-round pick, for the bargain-basement price of a 2023 fifth-round selection and the lesser of the Eagles’ two 2024 sixth-round picks.

CJGJ proved to be an elite playmaker despite the late start and the move from nickel cornerback with the Saints to the back end with Philadelphia. Gardner-Johnson, 25, tied for the NFL lead with six interceptions despite missing five games with a lacerated kidney.

The problem for Howie Roseman is that both starters are set to become free agents on March 15.

Gardner-Johnson is expected to cash in big with Spotrac.com valuing his next contract at five years and $66.7 million, an average annual value of $13.3M. The franchise tag number at the position is $14.46M and while the Eagles might use it as a strategic placeholder the goal is likely a long-term deal that helps with cap space early in the contract.

READ: Gardner-Johnson and the tag: Using a Franchise Tag on Chauncey Gardner-Johnson isn't ...

Epps obviously isn’t going to be in that range but he might be difficult to retain after playing out the final year of his rookie deal at just under $1 million, especially with the development of undrafted rookie Reed Blankenship.

When forced into action due to injury Blankenship, 23, performed at a high level, grading out as the eighth-best safety in the NFL by Pro Football Focus. The sample size of 348 snaps was small but not small enough that you couldn't see the upside of the Middle Tennessee State product.

Also returning is K’Von Wallace, 25, who hasn’t broken through at safety during his first three professional seasons but has developed into a capable backup and core special-teamer.

Andre Chachere, 27, finished the season on the practice squad and signed a future deal. His versatility of being able to play safety as well as slot CB, and help on special teams will keep him in the mix for a back-end roster spot next season.

STAY:

-CJGJ with a long-term deal.

-Blankenship as a potential 2023 starter opposite of Gardner-Johnson.

-Wallace for the final year of his rookie deal.

-Chachere with an opportunity to make the back end of the roster.

GO:

-Epps should get a decent deal elsewhere as a potential starter.

-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