The Eagles have made a number of notable additions on both sides of the ball, but a starting role at the safety position is up for grabs this offseason. According to Zach Berman and Bo Wulf of the Athletic, the favorite for that spot is Marcus Epps.
After the departure of veteran Rodney McLeod, the Eagles have a number of options to consider, but not much in the way of NFL experience. Epps, 26, began his career with the Vikings in 2019. After just eight games in Minnesota, however, he was waived. That began his tenure with the Eagles, where he has played a rotational role.
The former sixth-rounder has appeared in 30 games over the past two seasons, seeing an uptick in playing time from 2020 to 2021. Over that stretch, he totaled 109 tackles, three interceptions and nine pass deflections. That production leaves him as a logical candidate to take on an even larger workload for the 2022 season, the final year of his rookie contract.
As Wulf writes, 2020 fourth-rounder K’Von Wallace could be “closer to being off the roster entirely” than to the vacant starting role. The Clemson alum has made six appearances in two seasons, playing primarily on special teams. Other young options include Andre Chachere and Jared Mayden, leaving uncertainty in terms of depth behind Anthony Harris and “front-runner” Epps as starters.
Berman makes note of the push the Eagles made to sign Marcus Williams in free agency as evidence of the front office’s perception of the depth chart at the position. Their attempt to add the former Saint, who ultimately landed in Baltimore, coupled with the fact that Harris, 30, re-signed on only a one-year deal for less than what he earned last season, could leave general manager Howie Roseman busy in attempting to make at least one more addition. On that point, Berman posits that Roseman should be inquiring about trading for veteran Raven Chuck Clark, something multiple teams have already done.
While more could still be done at the position, it appears as though Epps can be penciled in as a starter for the time being. If he does ultimately land – and hold on to – the spot, he could help offset the loss of McLeod and earn himself a larger payday in free agency in the process.
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