On 3/14/2026 at 12:45 PM, T-1000 said:

Sydney Brown is one of the worst safeties in the NFL. There is no putting it together for him with his lack of football IQ.

Mukuba and Carter would absolutely be terrible. First of all, Mukuba has 10 NFL starts at safety and Carter has zero. Second and more importantly having two starting safeties under 6'0 and 190 lbs is just a disaster waiting to happen. They had better have a plan to add a couple of guys to the position, with the least they should do being to bring back Epps and draft someone on day two or early day three.

On 3/14/2026 at 1:32 PM, Road to Victory said:

Mukuba looks more suited for a nickel role. That guy got trucked anytime they ran at him. He’s way too small to be a starter. I would rather have Epps in there.

Mukuba entered the NFL at the same size Dawkins did. Dawkins added some weight over time. That doesn't mean Mukuba will, but I would expect him to spend time in the weight room and get stronger. His 10 starts came in 11 games played before his injury.

When we traded for CJGJ, he had 0 starts at safety and most of his starts came as a nickel corner.

We all want all-pro players at every position. But even a guy like Dawkins only made all-pro 5 times in 14 years and didn't make his first one until his 6th season or his 1st pro bowl until his 4th. Fans don't want to be patient, but there's a reason why rookie deals are cheaper than quality veteran players. Being able to win a starting role on a super bowl caliber defense is actually a positive sign.

The difference between Epps and Mukuba at this point is Epps is an adequate replacement worth around the vet minimum. He has zero upside, but is not a huge liability. Mukuba actually demonstrates playmaking skills, has plenty of upside and also is not a huge liability. I would take Mukuba over Epps any day.

3 hours ago, time2rock said:

Dallas is ALL Eagles. Took pay cut last year. This year turned away free agency just to stay HOME. My man. Love the resigning. Love the player. Very happy to see him here for at least one more year...Or more?

6 hours ago, brkmsn said:

Mukuba entered the NFL at the same size Dawkins did. Dawkins added some weight over time. That doesn't mean Mukuba will, but I would expect him to spend time in the weight room and get stronger. His 10 starts came in 11 games played before his injury.

When we traded for CJGJ, he had 0 starts at safety and most of his starts came as a nickel corner.

We all want all-pro players at every position. But even a guy like Dawkins only made all-pro 5 times in 14 years and didn't make his first one until his 6th season or his 1st pro bowl until his 4th. Fans don't want to be patient, but there's a reason why rookie deals are cheaper than quality veteran players. Being able to win a starting role on a super bowl caliber defense is actually a positive sign.

The difference between Epps and Mukuba at this point is Epps is an adequate replacement worth around the vet minimum. He has zero upside, but is not a huge liability. Mukuba actually demonstrates playmaking skills, has plenty of upside and also is not a huge liability. I would take Mukuba over Epps any day.

Mukuba and Epps are both backups. Neither one is the answer. From what I’m seen so far, Mukuba can make plays in the passing game but is a huge liability against the run.

Mukuba doesn’t have the frame to add size nor does he have the mentality to be a run stopper. He’s the furthest thing from Brian Dawkins.

36 minutes ago, Road to Victory said:

Mukuba and Epps are both backups. Neither one is the answer. From what I’m seen so far, Mukuba can make plays in the passing game but is a huge liability against the run.

Mukuba doesn’t have the frame to add size nor does he have the mentality to be a run stopper. He’s the furthest thing from Brian Dawkins.

He doesn't have to be Brian Dawkins. He just has to be a good starter.

vic Fangio on mukuba

+5

Vic Fangio noted significant growth in rookie safety Andrew Mukuba by late 2025, stating he is "not a rookie anymore" due to improved consistency and fewer big plays allowed. While initially describing Mukuba’s season as "uneven", Fangio credited his development with helping the Eagles' defensive improvement, although he previously noted the need for more strength.

X

X

+4

Key details regarding Fangio's assessment of Mukuba:

Progressive Trust: After an uneven start, Fangio recognized Mukuba’s improved consistency in November 2025, noting a reduction in the "bad plays" that occurred early in the season.

Transition from Rookie: By game 11, Fangio stated that due to playing time and experience, Mukuba was no longer playing like a typical rookie.

"Rookie Tax": Fangio referenced the need to "pay taxes" (experience growing pains) when playing rookies, acknowledging he had to live with some shaky play earlier in the season.

Physicality and Role: While recognized as a "hitter," early assessments pointed to a need for more strength and consistency in his tackling, with hope that he could become a major, reliable piece of the secondary.

I'll take what Fangio says of Mukuba over the eye test of people sitting on their couch lol.

10 hours ago, Road to Victory said:

Mukuba and Epps are both backups. Neither one is the answer. From what I’m seen so far, Mukuba can make plays in the passing game but is a huge liability against the run.

Mukuba doesn’t have the frame to add size nor does he have the mentality to be a run stopper. He’s the furthest thing from Brian Dawkins.

Budda Baker, Winfield Jr, Tyrann Honey Bradger are all undersized as well. Safeties can excel and be weak in their unique ways.

5 hours ago, Bwestbrook36 said:

vic Fangio on mukuba

+5

Vic Fangio noted significant growth in rookie safety Andrew Mukuba by late 2025, stating he is "not a rookie anymore" due to improved consistency and fewer big plays allowed. While initially describing Mukuba’s season as "uneven", Fangio credited his development with helping the Eagles' defensive improvement, although he previously noted the need for more strength.

X

X

+4

Key details regarding Fangio's assessment of Mukuba:

Progressive Trust: After an uneven start, Fangio recognized Mukuba’s improved consistency in November 2025, noting a reduction in the "bad plays" that occurred early in the season.

Transition from Rookie: By game 11, Fangio stated that due to playing time and experience, Mukuba was no longer playing like a typical rookie.

"Rookie Tax": Fangio referenced the need to "pay taxes" (experience growing pains) when playing rookies, acknowledging he had to live with some shaky play earlier in the season.

Physicality and Role: While recognized as a "hitter," early assessments pointed to a need for more strength and consistency in his tackling, with hope that he could become a major, reliable piece of the secondary.

I'll take what Fangio says of Mukuba over the eye test of people sitting on their couch lol.

What do you expect Fangio to say about a rookie?

How do think he played the run this year?

12 hours ago, brkmsn said:

He doesn't have to be Brian Dawkins. He just has to be a good starter.

Agreed. People still haven't adjusted to the fact that the league has evolved to where safeties can't be a Dawkins. The very successful safeties in this era are more so ball skill, good coverage, and take down tacklers rather than the big hitter impact tackler types. Mukuba fits the current day safety archetype.

1 hour ago, judunno said:

Agreed. People still haven't adjusted to the fact that the league has evolved to where safeties can't be a Dawkins. The very successful safeties in this era are more so ball skill, good coverage, and take down tacklers rather than the big hitter impact tackler types. Mukuba fits the current day safety archetype.

Yeah Dawkins can thrive in any era. I think a cover 3 leaning team still would work out for him at safety - kind of the Kam Chancellor in the LoB. Currently Kyle Hamilton - I’m not sure he does anything Dawkins couldn’t do better - besides length.

Worst case scenario he’d be a box safety and an insane linebacker in pass sets.

3 hours ago, Road to Victory said:

What do you expect Fangio to say about a rookie?

How do think he played the run this year?

He's said a lot of not great things about them… so when he does praise them it tends to mean something.

19 hours ago, Road to Victory said:

Mukuba and Epps are both backups. Neither one is the answer. From what I’m seen so far, Mukuba can make plays in the passing game but is a huge liability against the run.

Mukuba doesn’t have the frame to add size nor does he have the mentality to be a run stopper. He’s the furthest thing from Brian Dawkins.

Put the crack pipe down.

Fangio does not blow smoke up players' aces.

6 hours ago, GoEagles614 said:

Yeah Dawkins can thrive in any era. I think a cover 3 leaning team still would work out for him at safety - kind of the Kam Chancellor in the LoB. Currently Kyle Hamilton - I’m not sure he does anything Dawkins couldn’t do better - besides length.

Worst case scenario he’d be a box safety and an insane linebacker in pass sets.

Ya. I'm saying Dawkins could do it all and deliver the pain. Not much deliverance of pain from safety play due to the rule changes. It's a passing league in the end. Consistent drag down tackling is fine from that position if your ball skills and coverage are above avg.

Epps was solid in Philly when they brought him back. He isn't a game changer, but he could be a low cost stop gap or high end backup. Their CB's are nuts, but between Mukuba and Epps they could be okay for the season.

5 hours ago, Mat said:

Epps was solid in Philly when they brought him back. He isn't a game changer, but he could be a low cost stop gap or high end backup. Their CB's are nuts, but between Mukuba and Epps they could be okay for the season.

Most definitely agree on Epps. I’ve been hopeful they bring him back, especially with Blank leaving. He'd be quite a bit cheaper than Blank and knows the defense. We're super thin at S right now ... Mukuba showed promise his rookie year but now he needs to show he can stay healthy (IOW you can't rely on him yet ... you just don't know with 100% certainty what you have with him). After him you have Brown who has not proven to be a capable starting S and Sam ... that's it. They could use Carter at S but we don't know if that is in the plans. They could draft someone but again, you just don't know what you are getting. Bringing back Epps makes a lot of sense.

1 hour ago, time2rock said:

Most definitely agree on Epps. I’ve been hopeful they bring him back, especially with Blank leaving. He'd be quite a bit cheaper than Blank and knows the defense. We're super thin at S right now ... Mukuba showed promise his rookie year but now he needs to show he can stay healthy (IOW you can't rely on him yet ... you just don't know with 100% certainty what you have with him). After him you have Brown who has not proven to be a capable starting S and Sam ... that's it. They could use Carter at S but we don't know if that is in the plans. They could draft someone but again, you just don't know what you are getting. Bringing back Epps makes a lot of sense.

Safety has become the new LB position for us as far as priority...bargain bin, Kmart blue light special, the once every 5-10 years 2nd round pick, etc. Although I guess Howie has historically never really put much of a priority on the Safety position, it just used to be even less so for LB for a long long time...until Fangio.

14 minutes ago, EaglesAddict said:

Safety has become the new LB position for us as far as priority...bargain bin, Kmart blue light special, the once every 5-10 years 2nd round pick, etc. Although I guess Howie has historically never really put much of a priority on the Safety position, it just used to be even less so for LB for a long long time...until Fangio.

I like Epps. When called upon I thought he played pretty well. I like the idea of having an experienced vet in the mix with Mukuba who is still relatively inexperienced with only a partial year under his belt and coming off IR (so he also needs to prove he can stay healthy) and likely another rookie they pick up in next month's draft ... that vet could be Epps or someone else but at least Epps knows the defense and took to Fangio's coaching (not all do ... see Bryce Huff). I do think it would be wise to invest a pick on a safety that could potentially step in as a starter eventually to pair with Mukuba but would like an insurance policy there (plus we need depth).

8 minutes ago, time2rock said:

I like Epps. When called upon I thought he played pretty well. I like the idea of having an experienced vet in the mix with Mukuba who is still relatively inexperienced with only a partial year under his belt and coming off IR (so he also needs to prove he can stay healthy) and likely another rookie they pick up in next month's draft ... that vet could be Epps or someone else but at least Epps knows the defense and took to Fangio's coaching (not all do ... see Bryce Huff). I do think it would be wise to invest a pick on a safety that could potentially step in as a starter eventually to pair with Mukuba but would like an insurance policy there (plus we need depth).

Yeah I think Epps makes the most sense at this point and will probably happen. As far as drafting a Safety...I don't see Howie taking another one before Day 3 if at all. Maybe they'll get lucky or maybe we'll be winging it with Mukuba and Epps and shaky depth.

It's weird that nobody is talking about Justin Simmons this year. Eagles fans seemed to have him as a likely signing every year the last few seasons.

Simmons at S has come up because of the Vic connection. Didn't he retire? Or at least not get signed in 2025?

1 hour ago, JohnSnowsHair said:

Simmons at S has come up because of the Vic connection. Didn't he retire? Or at least not get signed in 2025?

He hasn't been signed since finishing the 2024 season with Atlanta. Can only think his compensation expectations are unrealistic, especially for a player a couple years north of 30.

10 minutes ago, Procus said:

Not bad as a WR3. But after we trade AJ....WR2?

^^^^^^

He's probably going to have to be WR2.

He looks smaller than Smitty.

Can he return kicks?