Under Construction

The Eagles’ defense, helmed by legendary coordinator Vic Fangio, should be among the league’s top units this season.

Its star-centric cast features All Pros at every level, the pass rush is deep, and the assembled cornerback contingent of Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean and free-agent addition Riq Woolen might be the best in football.

But one position that’s under the microscope is safety. Second-year pro Drew Mukuba, appearing in 11 games last season, headlines the room following an encouraging emergence during a rookie season that ended prematurely due to injury.

Mukuba has the necessary tools, namely the football IQ and ball skills, to make a jump in his second season. His instincts for the position were lauded during the pre-draft process, as was his coverage acumen. The Texas product now steps into the spotlight.

While the Eagles certainly have time to figure it out, the spot opposite Mukuba remains unsettled.

Veteran Marcus Epps, 30, returns on a one-year deal after appearing in 12 games (four starts) for the Eagles last season. What Epps lacks in twitchy athleticism, he atones for with instincts, intelligence and fundamentals – all of which are valued qualities in a Fangio defense.

GETTY IMAGES: Eagles DBs Andrew Mukuba (24) and Cooper DeJean will be lining up next to each other at safety in certain packages.

Epps, who has logged a total of 49 NFL starts, currently has the inside track to a starting job, though Fangio made it clear Thursday that the spot alongside Mukuba is up for grabs.

“It’s open,” he said. I think Marcus [Epps] is someone that will put up good claim to it. In base, it will be Cooper [DeJean]. When we go to nickel and Coop comes up and plays nickel, it’ll be Epps. We’re taking a good look at Michael Carter back there. Andre’ Sam. Then we signed an undrafted free agent, Gush [DB Kapena Gushiken]. J.T. Gray has been mainly a special teams player, but he’ll get a look. We’ll look at all those guys. It’s an open competition.”

It’s worth noting that Fangio mentioned being “pleasantly surprised” by Epps’ performance last season, before indicating that he was previously unfamilar with the veteran safety. He went on to highlight Epps’ instincts and experience, adding that if he can stay healthy, and win the job, the position will be fine.

Notably, Fangio revealed that DeJean, the Eagles’ do-it-all defensive back, will moonlight at safety this season when the Eagles are in base defense – but the Eagles don’t live in that personnel grouping.

An interesting inclusion to the competition is Carter II, a nickelback by trade. Acquired ahead of the NFL trade deadline last season, Carter II appeared in eight games (one start) for the Eagles, accounting for 106 defensive snaps. His sample size at the position is minimal, but Carter II does bring athleticism, smarts and coverage ability and to the table.

The Eagles threw Carter II into the mix at a new position, not only to potentially create a pathway to playing time but because Carter likely showcased enough positives in the season finale over his 65 snaps to warrant an extended look.

“He’s an instinctive player,” Fangio said. “I think he has a good feel for the game. What little he did play for us last year, he did show that. I don’t think he’ll have a hard time learning the position mentally. He’s just got to go out there and be able to do it.

“What we’ve been doing out there these last couple of weeks are just kind of walkthroughs and route pickups against other defensive players running the routes or even non-players. I think we’ll know early whether he’s got the feel for it or not.”

As for Sam, who enters his third season with the team, the 27-year-old plays with an appreciable edge and knows the system. The LSU product spent the past two seasons on the Eagles’ practice squad, appearing in four regular season games and one postseason contest, and will be in contention for a depth role.

It’s also relevant to point out Sam’s familiarity with the Eagles’ newly appointed defensive passing game coordinator Joe Kasper, who for two seasons served as his safeties coach.

Gushiken, or “Gush,” is an undrafted rookie from Ole Miss (by way of Washington State and Saddleback Community College) who seemingly has the Eagles’ attention, as evidenced by his $272,500 in guarantees. At 5-foot-9, 189 pounds, Gushiken sports a frame that suggests a home at nickelback, but boasts plus-athletic traits.

Three names who weren’t included in Fangio’s positional outlook were seventh-rounder Cole Wisniewski, second-year pro Brandon Johnson and undrafted rookie Maximus Pulley.

Wisniewski, at 6-foot-3, 219 pounds, offers unique size for the position and boasts, by all accounts, a sharp football mind. If he grasps the system fairly early, perhaps he can gain enough ground to garner consideration for a larger role.

Johnson, another nickelback by trade, spent the 2025 season on the Eagles’ practice squad. He cross-trained at safety during the season and was elevated for the final three regular season games, starting the season finale.

Pulley started 34 games at Wofford, totaling 189 tackles (seven for loss), 16 passes defended and seven interceptions — five of which he produced last season. He managed to convert three of his turnovers into touchdowns.

That’s the full rundown of the position, but only Epps and Mukuba have starting safety experience, which gives the former an early advantage. Maybe Wisniewski surges up the depth chart and establishes himself as the Eagles’ latest Day 3 find. Or perhaps Carter II takes to his new role and staves off the other challengers.

My guess, while far out from training camp?

The Eagles aren’t finished addressing the position.

— Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com.