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The NFL season is approaching, but so is another college football campaign. That means the Philadelphia Eagles' scouting department is already hard at work evaluating the next wave of NCAA prospects.
That's the reality of life in a successful front office. The draft isn't a three-day event in April. It's a year-round trek. The Eagles currently appear comfortable at safety. Andrew Mukuba and Marcus Epps are expected to open the season as the starters. Cooper DeJean has cross-trained at the position, while veterans like Michael Carter II provide respectable depth in the defensive backfield.
Behind them sit Andre' Sam, J.T. Gray, Cole Wisniewski, and Maximus Pulley. Still, things change quickly in the NFL. Philadelphia moved on from Sydney Brown this offseason, and history suggests the Eagles are never afraid to retool the backend of their defense if they believe upgrades are available. If safety becomes a need next spring, here are six prospects who could find themselves on Philadelphia's radar.
If the Eagles are searching for a future difference-maker, K.J. Bolden may be the safest bet. The Georgia standout has already established himself as one of college football's premier safeties.
He enjoyed another productive season that showcased his instincts, range, and ability to impact games in multiple ways. At 6-foot and 185 pounds, he still has room to add strength, but the talent is undeniable. It's easy to imagine Philadelphia falling in love with a player possessing his athletic profile and football intelligence.
Johnson may have the highest ceiling among the players outside the top two. After a breakout campaign in 2025, the Notre Dame safety established himself as one of the nation's rising defensive stars.
His ball skills and instincts consistently put him around the football, resulting in multiple game-changing plays. Another productive season could push Johnson firmly into first-round discussions.
Hubbard will share national acclaim with teammate Sabb. The Alabama safety duo was two of the Crimson Tide's most reliable defenders in 2025. Sabb won a national championship in 2023 with the Michigan Wolverines and nears 1,000 NCAA snaps. Hubbard is a ball hawk. Both can play multiple positions. They can improve their stock even further.
McDonald feels tailor-made for today's NFL. The Longhorns defender is an excellent athlete who thrives both in coverage and as a run defender. His ability to patrol the deep portion of the field would immediately attract NFL evaluators, especially those looking for interchangeable defensive backs.
Philadelphia has increasingly valued versatility in recent years, making McDonald an easy projection onto the Eagles' draft board. He's faster than his size suggests he should be, and he plays with a lot of violence.
Spears is one of the bigger prospects of this class at 6-foot-3 and 208 pounds. He covers well and handles the run well. Benefield brings a physical element to the position. He's a transfer from the Boise State Broncos who could climb if he thrives vs. better competition.
Another ball-hawking safety here who, like most on this list, can claim versatility as his best asset. He has experience playing safety, nickel cornerback, and special teams. That type of flexibility tends to appeal to organizations like Philadelphia that value players capable of filling multiple roles.
Philadelphia rarely drafts defensive backs in the first round. In fact, the franchise has only selected four defensive backs in Round 1 throughout its history. That trend may continue in 2027.
Still, successful organizations prepare for every possibility. The Eagles appear comfortable with their current safety room, but if circumstances change, there should be plenty of intriguing prospects available. For now, these six names deserve a spot on Philadelphia's early watch list as the road to the 2027 NFL Draft begins.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: 2027 NFL Draft: Ranking early options at the safety position
Continue reading...
That's the reality of life in a successful front office. The draft isn't a three-day event in April. It's a year-round trek. The Eagles currently appear comfortable at safety. Andrew Mukuba and Marcus Epps are expected to open the season as the starters. Cooper DeJean has cross-trained at the position, while veterans like Michael Carter II provide respectable depth in the defensive backfield.
Behind them sit Andre' Sam, J.T. Gray, Cole Wisniewski, and Maximus Pulley. Still, things change quickly in the NFL. Philadelphia moved on from Sydney Brown this offseason, and history suggests the Eagles are never afraid to retool the backend of their defense if they believe upgrades are available. If safety becomes a need next spring, here are six prospects who could find themselves on Philadelphia's radar.
1. K.J. Bolden, Georgia Bulldogs
If the Eagles are searching for a future difference-maker, K.J. Bolden may be the safest bet. The Georgia standout has already established himself as one of college football's premier safeties.
He enjoyed another productive season that showcased his instincts, range, and ability to impact games in multiple ways. At 6-foot and 185 pounds, he still has room to add strength, but the talent is undeniable. It's easy to imagine Philadelphia falling in love with a player possessing his athletic profile and football intelligence.
2. Tae Johnson, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Johnson may have the highest ceiling among the players outside the top two. After a breakout campaign in 2025, the Notre Dame safety established himself as one of the nation's rising defensive stars.
His ball skills and instincts consistently put him around the football, resulting in multiple game-changing plays. Another productive season could push Johnson firmly into first-round discussions.
3. Keon Sabb & Bray Hubbard, Alabama Crimson Tide
Hubbard will share national acclaim with teammate Sabb. The Alabama safety duo was two of the Crimson Tide's most reliable defenders in 2025. Sabb won a national championship in 2023 with the Michigan Wolverines and nears 1,000 NCAA snaps. Hubbard is a ball hawk. Both can play multiple positions. They can improve their stock even further.
4. Jelani McDonald, Texas Longhorns
McDonald feels tailor-made for today's NFL. The Longhorns defender is an excellent athlete who thrives both in coverage and as a run defender. His ability to patrol the deep portion of the field would immediately attract NFL evaluators, especially those looking for interchangeable defensive backs.
Philadelphia has increasingly valued versatility in recent years, making McDonald an easy projection onto the Eagles' draft board. He's faster than his size suggests he should be, and he plays with a lot of violence.
5. Ty Benefield & Dashawn Spears, LSU Tigers
Spears is one of the bigger prospects of this class at 6-foot-3 and 208 pounds. He covers well and handles the run well. Benefield brings a physical element to the position. He's a transfer from the Boise State Broncos who could climb if he thrives vs. better competition.
6. Earl Little II, Ohio State Buckeyes
Another ball-hawking safety here who, like most on this list, can claim versatility as his best asset. He has experience playing safety, nickel cornerback, and special teams. That type of flexibility tends to appeal to organizations like Philadelphia that value players capable of filling multiple roles.
The Eagles have options if safety becomes a priority
Philadelphia rarely drafts defensive backs in the first round. In fact, the franchise has only selected four defensive backs in Round 1 throughout its history. That trend may continue in 2027.
Still, successful organizations prepare for every possibility. The Eagles appear comfortable with their current safety room, but if circumstances change, there should be plenty of intriguing prospects available. For now, these six names deserve a spot on Philadelphia's early watch list as the road to the 2027 NFL Draft begins.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: 2027 NFL Draft: Ranking early options at the safety position
Continue reading...
