Safety State

As the 2026 Eagles’ roster continues to take shape, and the NFL Draft nears, the brief period of calmness before the proverbial storm offers an opportunity to take inventory on position groups and team needs. We’ll begin with the safety position, which lost a familiar face in Reed Blankenship, a 2025 team captain and bedrock of the secondary. Blankenship, a favorite of coordinator Vic Fangio, relied on his intelligence and toughness and leaned into establishing himself as a trusted assignment-sound player. Communication was another added perk. But as stated, Blankenship is no longer in the picture, turning the room over to second-year pro Drew Mukuba, who will be accompanied by a host of holdovers, namely veteran Marcus Epps.

The assumption, however, is that the team isn’t finished building out the room. Whether the addition comes in the form of a draft selection, trade, or late-wave free agent signing, it’ll likely to come down to value and fit, as opposed to the splashy play.

With that, here’s a closer look at the current state of the Eagles’ safety room.

GETTY IMAGES: Second-year pro Drew Mukuba is the only sure thing for the Eagles at safety entering 2026.

Drew Mukuba

At the head of the class is Mukuba, a 2025 second-round pick who flashed plenty of promise during his abbreviated rookie campaign. A fractured ankle, suffered in Dallas on Nov. 23, ended Mukuba’s season prematurely just as the Texas product was seemingly beginning to find his groove. Still, in 11 games (10 starts), Mukuba managed to corral a pair of interceptions, tied for second-most on the team. He added 46 tackles (two for loss), three passes defended and a half-sack across 672 snaps, playing noticeably faster and with increased swagger as the season rolled along. At locker cleanout, Mukuba mentioned he expects to be ready for spring practices, which would obviously be an encouraging development for a second-year player positioned to elevate into the top spot. I was bullish on Mukuba’s impact at the next level leading into the 2025 NFL Draft, and nothing has changed. The 23-year-old boasts an advanced football IQ, coupled with exceptional instincts and ball-hawking tendencies. He will be positioned to turn in loose in what I’m expecting to be a breakthrough sophomore showing.

Marcus Epps

With Blankenship elsewhere and a need for a veteran presence in the room, the Eagles (wisely) elected to retain Epps, who enters his eighth NFL season. Epps, 30, opened the 2025 season on the Eagles’ practice squad before ultimately signing to the 53-man roster in late September. Bringing Epps, a former starter with the Eagles and Raiders, into the fold to start the season proved savvy down the stretch with Mukuba sidelined, arming the backend with experience. Appearing in 12 games (four starts) last season, Epps produced 21 tackles (one for loss) across 250 defensive snaps. In Mukuba’s absence, the Eagles were deprived of his range, but Epps did well to keep things afloat in the interim. I don’t necessarily view the re-signing of Epps as a one-year solution — the assumption is that the Eagles aren’t finished adding to the group — but it’s a move that stabilizes the room and represents quality depth. Epps brings toughness and a high-level understanding of the defense, intangibles that typically carry weight with Fangio. He also provides added value on special teams.

J.T. Gray

The Eagles signed Gray to a one-year deal last month, though this was an addition made with special teams at the forefront. For context, in eight seasons, Gray accumulated just 153 defensive snaps compared to 2,231 third phase snaps. The Eagles traded away fourth-year safety Sydney Brown, who finished second on the Eagles last season in special teams snaps, so the natural presumption is that Gray was brought on board to function as the replacement. A three-time All-Pro special teamer for the New Orleans Saints — where he served as a long-time team captain — Gray established himself as one of the league’s top gunners. Special teams coordinator Michael Clay gains an elite talent, but for now, it’s hard to envision Gray fitting into the Eagles’ defensive equation in 2026. An apt comparison for his role, should Gray latch onto the final roster, would appear to be similar to the one reserve safety Chris Maragos undertook from 2014-2017.

Andre’ Sam

Signed as an undrafted free agent on the heels of the 2024 NFL Draft, Sam, 27, has been a constant on the Eagles’ practice squad the past two seasons. The LSU product was elevated for three regular season games last season, accounting for three defensive snaps and another 26 on special teams. He was also elevated for the team’s Wild Card playoff matchup with the San Francisco 49ers, totaling 10 special teams snaps. Sam probably performed well enough to crack the 53-man roster out of camp, but the Louisiana native has proved dependable while on standby, continuing his development behind the scenes. From a numbers perspective, Sam is likely to face similar odds in year three, though his years-long familiarity with the scheme and coaching staff is worth noting. Random observation: Sam delivers palpable energy whenever he’s on the field and appeared to play with increased confidence in his second year in the system.

Michael Carter II (S/NCB)

Mukuba aside, the name listed in this space worth keeping an especially close eye on would be Carter II. A nickelback by trade, the Eagles value his versatility, and the expectation is that the veteran defensive back will factor into the safety outlook. Acquired from the New York Jets ahead of the NFL’s trade deadline, Carter II played sparingly at his predominant position, but would roll up 65 snaps at safety in the season finale after coming on in relief of an injured Brandon Johnson. Following the game, Carter quipped to me that was the most he’d repped at safety in years — and he appears to have accumulated enough positives on tape to warrant a longer look at the position in the coming months. Carter II, who renegotiated his deal with the team back in March, plays with veteran savvy and his toughness defies his listed measurables, both valued qualities in a Fangio safety.

Brandon Johnson (S/NCB)

Signed as a rookie free agent last spring, Johnson functioned as a nickelback in training camp and proved to be a quick study. The Oregon product signed to the practice squad following cutdowns, where he remained for the duration of the 2025 season. During the season, Johnson, 23, cross-trained at safety, highlighting his versatility and reinforcing his rapid absorption of Fangio’s defense. He was elevated for the final three games of the regular season, notching 28 defensive snaps and nine on special teams. Johnson logged his first NFL start in Week 18, alongside Brown at safety, accounting for a pass defended over 23 snaps. An ankle injury forced an early exit, however, giving way to Carter II. If asked to name an Eagles darkhorse candidate to keep an eye on in the coming months, my answer would be Johnson, as his twitchiness, positional versatility and knowledge of the defense perhaps give him a leg-up over fellow roster contenders.

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