The Eagles' starting safety combination of C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Reed Blankenship worked well together last season, helping the team’s pass defense finish first in the league by allowing only 174.2 yards per game while also contributing in run support. However, the defense will look different next season after the team traded Gardner-Johnson to the Houston Texans.
The Eagles also lost Avonte Maddox, another player who occasionally played safety, to the Detroit Lions after he agreed to a one-year deal Friday. Maddox’s primary role in the secondary was playing in the slot, but he filled in at safety when injuries occurred, including a start in the wild-card round against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2023-24 season. According to Pro Football Focus, he played 24 snaps at safety last season. With Gardner-Johnson and Maddox gone, the Eagles could look to internal options or the draft to find their next starting safety.
Sydney Brown and Lewis Cine could compete for the job during OTAs and training camp. Brown worked his way back onto the field after missing the first five games of last season while recovering from a torn ACL and spent most of his time on special teams. He finished the season with an interception, seven tackles, two pass breakups, and a forced fumble.
Cine was an intriguing late-season pickup, stashed on the roster to learn the scheme but never appearing in a game. A first-round pick in the 2022 draft, Cine’s career has been derailed by injuries. He has played in 11 career games, recording just one tackle. Cine and Brown have similar strengths in coverage, excelling against receivers—especially tight ends near the line of scrimmage—while also being physical in run support.
In free agency, three-time All-Pro safety Justin Simmons is available again. Last season with the Atlanta Falcons, Simmons recorded two interceptions, seven pass breakups, 62 tackles, and two tackles for loss.
Simmons is familiar with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and has expressed interest in coming to Philadelphia. The key factors will be how much he is willing to accept and whether his signing would impact the compensatory pick formula, potentially costing the Eagles a selection in 2025. The team is also focused on getting younger, and adding a 31-year-old safety may not align with that philosophy.
With defensive tackle, edge rusher, and tight end potentially being the targets in the Eagles in the first two rounds. The Eagles could be waiting on late on Day 2 or early in Day 3 to get take a safety. The Eagles currently have a selection in the third round (96th overall), one in the fourth round (134 overall), and four in the fifth-round (161st, 164th, 165th, and 168th overall).
Texas’ Andrew Mukuba would be a a good player to target in the third round because he is a player who fits the Fangio scheme well because of his versatility in playing both man and zone coverages who should be there in the third round. Mukuba can play in “centerfield,” allowing him to anticipate a throw, jumping a route and attacking the ball. Those skills helped him finish tied for the team-lead in interceptions (five). Mukuba also had 69 tackles, four tackles for loss, and seven pass breakups.
Jaden Voison is another player who to consider if the Eagles acquire another late round pick or to consider as an undrafted free agent. Voisin had nine interceptions in the past two seasons with South Alabama, finishing with five last season to go along with his five passes defended, 83 tackles, three quarterback hits and 3.5 tackles for loss. Voisin does well understanding the plays that are developing in front of him and can go across the field to make a play, like he did against Northwestern State.
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Chris Franklin may be reached at cfranklin@njadvancemedia.com.