Whether it’s recycling running backs on one-year deals, refusing to pay for veteran linebackers, or bargain-bin hunting for the safety position, the Philadelphia Eagles do not pay certain positions due to their belief in valuing important roles on their roster. That previous belief might be changing, though — at least for the 2024 NFL offseason.
Today in our Eagles free agency predictions, we dissect the safety class and the notable players that Philadelphia could target at the position.
Eagles Free Agency Predictions: Safety Targets
With the running back, linebacker, and safety groups all expected to have Pro Bowl talents available in droves during free agency, an organization like Philadelphia will be able to address previous positions they’ve looked past to help their long-term future — especially with over $40 million in cap space.
Let’s take a look at the top safety targets for the Eagles.
Xavier McKinney
There aren’t many safeties who turn 25, have All-Pro talent, and hit the open market right before their prime. Xavier McKinney, after a disappointing 2023 season with the Giants, is certainly that player.
After four seasons in New York, the Alabama prospect will hit the open market as the top safety of this free agent class. Spotrac calculates his average annual salary in free agency to be over $11 million — a price too high for an organization like the Eagles.
Still, if that price goes down, Philadelphia would love to have a talented player like this in the back end.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson
The city of Philadelphia is all too familiar with C.J. Gardner-Johnson. The former Saint was traded to the Eagles before the 2022 regular season, ended up leading the league in picks despite missing a third of the season, and helped propel Philadelphia to a Super Bowl appearance.
Is a reunion in the cards after missing out on a big payday during the offseason and struggling with the Detroit Lions?
Never say never!
Kamren Curl
If the Eagles want a young safety to grow with their young CB room, McKinney and Washington’s Kam Curl make a ton of sense for the franchise. Curl is a solid defender in the back end — one of the few the Commanders had in recent years.
He’s a player that the Eagles might be able to acquire for cheaper than McKinney is going for if they play the waiting game.
Justin Simmons
Justin Simmons was a Pro Bowl and All-Pro caliber player under Vic Fangio in Denver. He may be 30 years old now, but he’s still a strong safety with plenty of experience to fit well with the current Eagles’ defense.
This is the one name tied to Philadelphia right now more than anyone else simply because of his prior relationship with the Eagles’ current defensive coordinator.
Jordan Poyer
A long time ago, in an Eagles franchise far far away, Jordan Poyer was drafted by the Philadelphia franchise as a cornerback out of Oregon State.
Now 2013 may be over a decade ago, and Poyer may not be the same All-Pro caliber player he was with the Buffalo Bills, but the recently released safety could provide the necessary leadership to a locker room in need of it on the defensive side.
Philadelphia seems like a team that would be willing to go after a player like this to get the last ounce of strong football out of them.
Eddie Jackson
Similar to Simmons, Eddie Jackson has had prior experience with Fangio but isn’t nearly the same player he once was in Chicago. While Simmons has still shown flashes of the All-Pro player he has been, Jackson struggled in 2023 and hasn’t been the same player since the former Bears defensive coordinator left for the Denver head coaching job.
Now that Fangio is in Philly, the dots can be connected in certain ways to Jackson.
Geno Stone
Geno Stone is a player who was severely underrated with the Ravens last season but could be in line for a solid payday after an excellent 2023 season. Recording seven interceptions is incredible for the safety position, and Stone’s the kind of ball hawk that Philadelphia would love in the back end.
With how much he could get paid, though, he’s a player who might get signed right away to set the market up.
What Will Eagles Do at Safety?
Now that we’ve gone through some of the bigger names to watch for this free agent cycle, here’s my official prediction on where the team will go over the coming weeks.
- Sign Justin Simmons to one-year, $8 million
- Sign Chauncey Gardner-Johnson to one-year, $5 million
A reunion with Gardner-Johnson seems like a foregone conclusion for Philadelphia. He won’t cost a ton of money, and he’s a serviceable player in coverage that the team knows they can trust.
KEEP READING: Free Agent Running Back Options for the Eagles
When it comes to Simmons, his relationship with Fangio is everything. By having a father of the quarters’ defense now calling the shots, a lot of great defensive players will be interested in coming to Philly. Simmons is just the easiest one to predict.
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