The Philadelphia Eagles' decision to bring back Marcus Epps made perfect sense at the time. He was a proven veteran familiar with the organization, and somewhat of a fan favorite because of his passionate style of play.
While rarely flashy, Epps was the type of player who didn't make mistakes. He was a fiery celebrator after tackles, but someone whose raw numbers would rarely stand out from the rest of the pack.
Now, ahead of his second year in his second stint with the organization, that might not be enough. The Eagles are quite thin at the position after letting Reed Blankenship go, and unless they find someone in the draft, relying solely on Epps could prove to be a costly mistake.
Philadelphia Must Address Safety in Opening Days of 2026 NFL Draft
Epps played well down the stretch last season alongside Blankenship. Now that the latter is gone, Andrew Mukuba will likely start at free safety, with Epps by his side as strong safety. Mukuba is an exciting athlete with a nose for the ball, but he was also on the wrong side of some big plays as a rookie.
That tendency to gamble might leave Epps in a bit of an island, and while he's always been a proficient hitter and run-stopper, he's never been particularly good in coverage. The Eagles' secondary was a bit shaky last season, and they still don't have a reliable starting option at CB opposite Quinyon Mitchell. That's just too many glaring holes in the defensive backfield.
Of course, Epps is going to make plays here and there, but he's going to be caught slippin'. He's missed 12.6 percent of tackles in his career, including a staggering 12.7 percent in his last 17-game season in Philadelphia, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
Epps is a hard-working guy who's going to put his body on the line on every snap, and he's a proven veteran with a high football IQ. That said, the Eagles are playing a dangerous game by relying almost entirely on him to handle business at the position.
They will be on the clock with the No. 23 pick, but most mock drafts have them bolstering the trenches with an offensive or defensive lineman. They can still address the position later, but this class isn't particularly deep at strong safety, and with DBs coach Christian Parker no longer in the picture, this issue could be something to keep a close eye on next season.