Second-year pro Andrew Mukuba is heading into the upcoming NFL season as one of the Philadelphia Eagles' two starting safeties. Who his running mate is remains to be seen, though.
Veteran Marcus Epps appears to be the current leader in the clubhouse, and Michael Carter II is in the mix too. Seventh-round rookie Cole Wisniewski is also lurking in the shadows should an opportunity present itself. None of them necessarily instill confidence, frankly.
Of course, Swiss Army knife Cooper DeJean will factor into the question, yet other responsibilities will certainly keep him occupied. That's why the Eagles faithful are understandably concerned and clamoring for an outside addition, as evidenced by Zach Berman of The Athletic's recent mailbag.
One fan dubbed "Jack B." expressed belief that Philadelphia needs another safety before the upcoming campaign, then shifted the conversation to the trade landscape. Berman agreed with the take and added that general manager Howie Roseman and Co. "will continue to monitor the market."
Berman even went on to identify an intriguing trio of hypothetical targets: Grant Delpit (Cleveland Browns), Budda Baker (Arizona Cardinals) and Jessie Bates (Atlanta Falcons).
Marcus Epps and Michael Carter II will compete for a job this summer, with Epps the favorite based on the spring," Berman wrote. "And he's a component, experienced starter. ... But yes, the Eagles could look for a more dynamic player. When analyzing depth charts and understanding the trajectory of teams, three safeties who would make sense are Cleveland's Grant Delpit, Atlanta's Jessie Bates and Arizona's Budda Baker."
Which potential safety trade target moves the needle the furthest for the Philadelphia Eagles?
It's important to emphasize that Berman clearly stated he's not reporting that any of the names mentioned are actually available. Given their respective situations, though, Delpit, Bates and Baker "fit the profile of safeties who could potentially be pried away."
However, it's fair to debate who's the best option of the bunch if Philadelphia had its pick of the litter between Delpit, Bates and Baker.
An eight-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro, Baker is the most accomplished and notably signed through 2027. The longtime Cardinal has been a tackle machine for nearly a decade now, ranking fifth in the category since 2018 (620). He pairs his remarkable range and closing speed with invaluable leadership qualities, having been named a captain six times.
Bates is a certified ball hawk; he has a knack for making plays and forcing turnovers. His 27 interceptions since entering the league as a second-round pick in 2018 are the second-most, trailing only Kevin Byard III and Justin Simmons. The only drawback is that Atlanta's stud defensive back is set to become an unrestricted free agent next offseason.
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Lastly but most certainly not least, there's Delpit. Turning 28 in September, he's the youngest of the guys floated. The LSU product is also slated to hit the open market after 2026, and Cleveland already drafted his replacement, as Berman highlighted. Put two and two together, and the Eagles might have a fascinating possible buy-low opportunity on their hands.
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