Best available free-agent safety options if Eagles are interested or should injuries occur
- The Eagles have some concerns at safety.
- They have also been bitten by the injury bug at every position.
- These guys shouldn't be called yet.
- Should an emergency occur, however, they're at the top of the list.
Death... Taxes... Holes in the Philadelphia Eagles roster at the safety position... Life has its guarantees, right? Seasons pass. The calendar years change. It doesn't seem to matter. It has sort of become an annual tradition that, more often than not, we're going to find ourselves involved in this discussion.
At some point, this conversation has to end, right? Who are we kidding? We'll probably never see that happen.
There are times when we have seen brilliance (Brian Dawkins, Malcolm Jenkins). We have also had our question marks, but conversations and doubts about this unit come regularly.
Currently, the Birds have a mixture of young guys. Their best player in the room, Reed Blankenship, missed Week 2's game with a rib injury. Just for kicks, we decided to do some digging.
Here are the top free-agent options the Eagles have at the safety position.
Don't get us wrong. We like the guys the Eagles have on the roster. Justin Evans and Terrell Edmunds both forced turnovers versus the Minnesota Vikings. Reed has become a fan favorite. Sydney Jones has a ton of potential.
Still, it's always smart to keep tabs on what's available. We're a long way from another NFL Draft. There aren't many attractive available free agents at the safety position. These guys are definitely worth a mention though, especially if the Birds are interested or experience some unforeseen injury.
1. Andrew Adams
Most of you have followed the Eagles long enough to know that, when they look to make additions to their roster or practice squad, they'll often look to guys they already know first.
Andrew Adams' stint in Philly ended quickly. He was signed on March 18th of 2021 and released on August 31st of that year, but he has since appeared in 29 games with 14 starts en route to 86 tackles, seven pass breakups as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2021) and Tennessee Titans (2022).
2. Logan Ryan
Logan Ryan turns 32 years young on February 9th which, in the minds of some, makes him a candidate for early retirement. We believe something else to be true.
He's the best available free agent not named Andrew Adams. He would also bring another veteran presence to the Eagles locker room at the safety position.
3. P.J. Williams
P.J. Williams is a baller that can pretty much do anything that is asked of him. He can tackle. He has 276 of those over his 96-game career (that includes seven playoff games). He has broken up 39 passes and intercepted eight passes while also forcing three fumbles. He's available and has seven years of NFL experience for any interested party.
4. Landon Collins
Landon Collins is someone Eagles fans know well. Unfortunately, he has always been someone standing on the other sideline.
His teams haven't won much. He is 2-11 versus the Birds as a member of both the New York Giants and Washington Commanders, but you can't blame that on him.
He has stacked 90 tackles, a sack, three quarterback hits, three interceptions, three pass breakups, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. He is a three-time Pro Bowler and former First-Team All-Pro (2016). He turns 30 years young in January and provides veteran leadership immediately.
5. DaMarcus Fields
If you're looking for some new blood, here's an option. DaMarcus Fields looks the part of an NFL safety. He's six-foot-tall and tips the scales at 200 pounds. We're still trying to determine if he plays like one.
While the Birds may not place a ton of value in the safety position, they have shown tendencies to stockpile talent at the position. Defensive backs coach D.K. McDonald and assistant DBs coach Taver Johnson are excellent teachers. This is a raw talent that could thrive with the proper direction.
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