The Philadelphia Eagles currently have six safeties on the roster, and with training camp fast approaching, an upgrade could be in the cards.
The Birds improved at every position this offseason, but after missing out on a few big names, Philadelphia re-signed Anthony Harris and gave Marcus Epps a promotion after Rodney McLeod signed with the Colts.
CBS Sports is looking at the biggest remaining needs for all 32 NFL teams, and the safety position hit the mark for the Eagles.
Positional value might as well have been trending in Philadelphia leading up to the draft. Would the team use one of its first-round selections on a wide receiver for the third time in as many years? Linebacker has never been a position of importance for the franchise. Would that change? Do they value safety in the first round? When the weekend had ended, they had addressed both linebacker and wide receiver in unconventional ways. That left safety as the remaining position of concern.
Pursuit of Tyrann Mathieu fell short, and that leaves the team with Anthony Harris, Marcus Epps and several former undrafted free agents. The investment in cornerback and the front seven should help that unit, however.
Harris had a solid season in 2021 and should show improved range with James Bradberry, Kyriz White, Haason Reddick, Jordan Davis, and Nakobe Dean as additions on defense.
Epps is playing for a new contract and should flourish with increased snaps, while Andre Chachere and Reed Blankenship are also players to watch.