During his end of the season press conference, Howie Roseman classified certain aspects of this season as “disappointing”, while making it clear that there would be changes and the Birds would get drastically younger.
The Eagles have two quality safeties, but Rodney McLeod is a free agent and Malcolm Jenkins is looking for a new deal. Both players are looking top-notch money and with the Eagles likely to lose one if not both, Howie Roseman and company will have to monitor the safety news this offseason.
With free agency set to begin on March 18, here are four free-agent safety targets for the Birds:
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1. Anthony Harris
Harris has benefited greatly from playing alongside Harrison Smith and the undrafted free agent just finished the 2018 season as the third highest-graded safety in the NFL. In 2019, Harris earned the highest grade among safeties.
Harris tied for the league lead with his six interceptions, was Pro Football Focus’s top-graded coverage safety in 2019 and should be a player of interest for the Eagles.
2. Jimmie Ward
The 49ers are set to play in the Super Bowl, and Ward is a huge reason why. After missing the first few weeks of the season with a hand injury, Ward has been dynamic in coverage and against the run.
3. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
The former Crimson Tide star signed a 1-year “prove it” deal with the Bears in 2019 and performed well under the circumstances. In week 3 against the Redskins, Clinton-Dix recorded a team-high 9 tackles, intercepted Case Keenum twice, returning one of them for a 37-yard touchdown in the 31–15 win.
4. Justin Simmons
The Broncos star has blossomed into one of the best safeties in the NFL and won’t even turn 27 until this coming November. Last season for the struggling Broncos, Simmons racked up 93 tackles, four interceptions and 15 passes defended.
