Ranking every Philadelphia Eagles defensive unit ahead of training camp

There are no shortages of defensive storylines as the Philadelphia Eagles approach training camp.

Welcome to year two of the Nick Sirianni experience, and welcome to another training camp that will take us on an 18-week, 17-game grind for this Philadelphia Eagles team. Something tells us we’ll be talking about the defensive unit early and often.

2021 was a roller-coaster ride. Philly’s defense was torched at times and respectable on other occasions. Many blamed the defensive coordinator, Jonathan Gannon. Others were sympathetic, stating that he didn’t have the horses, but no one can make that claim ahead of the 2022-2023 regular season.

It’s hard to do more than vice president/general manager Howie Roseman did to upgrade his football team. It isn’t a perfect roster, but it should be formidable. The general consensus is that much rests on the young shoulders of Jalen Hurts, and the defense only has one notable weakness.

It isn’t often that we see Philadelphia invest heavily into the safety position. Often, they elect, instead, to focus on building from the trenches and working their way out. That’s wise, but it does, at times, leave much to be desired with the backend of the Eagles’ defense.

The Birds enter camp with seven prospects at the position. Often, we see them carry five on the 53-man roster, generally with one being a special teams ace (think Chris Maragos or Rudy Ford in past years).

Marcus Epps. K’Von Wallace, Anthony Harris, and newly added Jaquiski Tartt will make the team. None of those guys are perennial all-pros, but rest easy if you’re worried. This unit is going to be better than you think.