Eagles Remain Thin at This Position Despite Offseason Moves

While the Philadelphia Eagles made upgrades across their roster this offseason, the safety position remains an area of concern heading into the 2024 campaign. Beyond the projected starters of C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Reed Blankenship, there are more questions than answers in the safety room.

Gardner-Johnson returns to Philadelphia after an injury-plagued 2023 season with the Detroit Lions, where he missed 14 games with a torn pectoral muscle. When healthy, he brings a versatile skill set, play-making ability, and swagger that should boost the Eagles' revamped defense under new coordinator Vic Fangio. However, durability is a legitimate concern given his recent injury history. His 2022 season with the Eagles was also cut short after 12 regular-season games due to a lacerated kidney.

Blankenship exceeded expectations as an undrafted free agent, emerging as a steady starter in his first two seasons. While lacking elite athleticism, he makes up for it with football IQ, toughness, and ball skills. But he has also missed time due to injuries and is likely best suited as a No. 2 or No. 3 safety rather than being cast as the top option, as he was at times in 2023.

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The Eagles are high on second-year safety Sydney Brown, a physical "heat-seeking missile" who missed the end of his rookie year with a knee injury. If fully recovered, he could push for a starting role, but it remains to be seen how quickly he will acclimate to Fangio's scheme.

Veteran cornerbacks Avonte Maddox and James Bradberry are getting reps at safety, though Maddox has battled injuries the past two years, and Bradberry's skill set may not translate smoothly to the position. Young practice squad players like Mekhi Garner, Tristin McCollum, and undrafted rookie Andre Sam offer depth but lack substantial in-game safety experience.

While the Eagles have bodies at safety, the group is thin in terms of proven, reliable options beyond the starters. Injury concerns and a lack of seasoning cloud the depth outlook. Unless the Eagles add a veteran safety before the season, like Jamal Adams or Justin Simmons, they could be forced to get creative with cross-training cornerbacks or relying on inexperienced young players to solidify a position that remains the most glaring question mark on their roster.