Philadelphia Eagles: 3 players due for an increased role in 2021

Marcus Epps, S

While fans have been clamoring for the likes of K’Von Wallace to get more playing time this upcoming season (which I think will happen, for what it’s worth), I wouldn’t ignore the potential role increase that Marcus Epps will likely see in 2021.

Despite a very lackluster debut season with the team in 2019, Epps actually put together a rather solid campaign in 2020. He finished the year with a team-high two interceptions, and consistently saw himself receiving favorable PFF grades. While PFF shouldn’t be viewed as the end-all be-all for player performance, it’s encouraging that Epps was being viewed as someone making intelligent plays on the field.

Epps also started his NFL career with the Vikings, so he should be somewhat familiar with the Mike Zimmer style of defense that Jonathan Gannon is expected to run this season. With both Rodney McLeod and Anthony Harris set to be free agents after this year, the Philadelphia Eagles are likely going to work very hard to get some of their younger safeties on the field (in an attempt to develop them for 2022.)

Epps has had some really brutal moments wearing the Eagles midnight green, but he was genuinely half-decent in 2020, and he’s only 25 years old. The type of DB that Howie Roseman could look to re-sign for cheap if he ends up impressing operating in a bigger role here in 2021.