The Philadelphia Eagles haven't made many splashes in free agency this month despite losing multiple big-time free agents on the defensive side of the ball. Jaelan Phillips, Nakobe Dean, and Reed Blankenship all departed the City of Brotherly Love for multi-year deals, leaving the Eagles with some holes to fill.
The Eagles likely expected that they could lose all three players and have already enacted their backup plans. To help fill in Phillips’ void, Philly signed Arnold Ebiketie to a one-year deal. As for Dean’s departure, Philly already has his replacement in Jihaad Campbell, who was drafted last year.
Meanwhile, the Eagles still haven’t found a replacement for Blankenship in the starting lineup. When it was revealed that he wasn’t coming back, Philadelphia fans immediately turned their attention to Nick Cross and Jaquan Brisker.
Brisker signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers, while Cross picked up a two-year contract with the rival Washington Commanders. Despite the rivalry between the NFC East foes, the Commanders' addition is one that the Eagles could use.
Eagles Not Thrilled to See Nick Cross with Commanders
Unlike the Eagles, who didn’t have much cap space to start free agency, the Commanders had a boatload of space, handing out big deals on both sides of the ball. Cross surprisingly didn’t get a huge deal with Washington, as his contract is worth $13 million with $6 million guaranteed.
That’s excellent value for a 24-year-old safety who has been a full starter for the last two years with the Indianapolis Colts. Last season, Cross accumulated 120 combined tackles, six QB hits, five tackles for loss, five pass deflections, 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and an interception.
It was the second-straight season that Cross recorded 120 or more combined tackles (146 in 2024). Cross showed some improvement in coverage, only allowing three receiving TDs and a 99.0 passer rating against. However, Pro Football Focus painted a different picture, as he had a coverage grade of 50.4.
In 2024, Cross gave up six receiving TDs and had a career-worst 109.9 passer rating against.
Last season, Blankenship’s coverage grade was a 32.7, but he only allowed two receiving TDs and had a 100.5 passer rating against. Both Cross and Blankenship were solid in run defense with 72.0 (Cross) and 73.9 grades (Blankenship), so they’re even in that department.
However, Cross would be an immediate upgrade over Marcus Epps and J.T. Gray, the latter of whom is a special teamer contributor. Epps, who was recently re-signed to a one-year deal, is penciled in as the starter next to Andrew Mukuba.
Cross would’ve fit in perfectly with the young secondary that the Eagles are building with Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Riq Woolen, and Mukuba. That said, Philly will now watch Cross head back to Maryland, where he’s from, and help turn around a Commanders’ defense that allowed 242.5 passing yards per game (fifth-most).
As for the Eagles, all signs are pointing towards them addressing the position in the draft and hopefully hitting a home run with that selection.