https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/eagles/2020-eagles-roster-malcolm-jenkins-safety-rodney-mcleod-kvon-wallace-will-parks

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Are the 2020 Eagles better or worse at safety?

By Andrew Kulp May 05, 2020 8:30 AM

 

Executive vice president and general manager Howie Roseman says the Eagles are a better football team after free agency and the draft. We're putting his claim to the test, breaking down the depth chart position by position to examine whether the roster really improved or actually took a step back this offseason.

Up next: Safety, where Malcolm Jenkins' exit created either a hole or an opportunity for a younger player.

Better

It's a good thing Jenkins and Rodney McLeod were on the field for almost every snap last season. There was nobody to take their place, especially once Andrew Sendejo was released.

While Jenkins' departure in free agency created a hole (more on that), at least the Eagles have bodies. Jalen Mills moves over from cornerback to take the spot. Will Parks brings four seasons and 15 career starts with the Broncos. And fourth-round pick K'Von Wallace has starter potential, if not in 2020, certainly beyond. Last year's backups, Marcus Epps and Rudy Ford, no longer appear to be part of the equation as long as Mills sticks at safety.

Worse

Depth is important, but Jenkins ensured those guys never saw the field in the first place. The three-time Pro Bowler lined up for 100 percent of the snaps for a second consecutive season in 2019. His demise was greatly exaggerated, too. Jenkins has definitely lost a step and made a few more mental mistakes in coverage than usual last year. He still finished with 81 tackles, 6 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, 9 quarterback hits, 8 pass breakups and 4 forced fumbles.

Jenkins is a playmaker and a leader. The Eagles didn't want to extend a 32-year-old safety with declining skill, which is understandable — but it's virtually certain his presence will be missed.

The same

The Eagles wisely chose not to make changes at both safety positions in the same offseason, opting instead to re-sign McLeod after another solid campaign.

McLeod is a perfectly cromulent center fielder for Jim Schwartz's defense. He hits hard and flies to the football, finishing last season with 76 tackles, 1.0 sack, 6 pass breakups, 2 interceptions and 2 forced fumbles in 16 games after an injury-shortened 2018. With McLeod in the room, the Eagles shouldn't miss Jenkins' leadership, either. It's welcome stability on the back end, especially in the wake of such a major departure.

The unknown

Mills actually seems like he might be a good fit for the Jenkins role — a box safety who can man up on bigger slot receivers. Thinking Mills will perform at Jenkins' level his first year playing the position is expecting a lot though.

The switch from cornerback isn't as outrageous as it might sound. Mills possesses a high football IQ and undoubtedly already knows where he needs to be. He's mentally tough as well and is going to compete.

Knowing the job and working hard are half the battle though. There are nuances he can only pick up on with experience, and while Mills did play some safety in college, that feels like ages ago. Some kind of learning curve feels inevitable here.

Better or worse?

While there's no getting around the fact that he's slowing down, Jenkins' demise was greatly exaggerated by some critics. He's still a quality football player, and one can easily make the case the Eagles made a mistake letting him go.

Mistake might be a tad strong given his age, and there's enough talent at the position now that the defense should be able to get by with some combination of Mills, Parks and Wallace alongside McLeod. But there's really no question that — in 2020 at least — the Eagles would've been a better team with Jenkins than they are without him. 

Worse 

 

Without Jenkins, I expect them to be worse.

Younger and faster- better

Experience- worse. Not neccesarily a bad thing. I love the Wallace pickup. Could end up being a steal

 

We lost a top 5 safety ... have to expect them to be worse.  

Worse. Definitely worse overall. There's perhaps more depth there but yeah they are worse. Who replaces Jenkins at FS? Who now covers the TE? Because Jenkins did that a lot. 

I like Parks as a safety #3, I think that's fine. I think Mills ultimately moves back to corner. I think there's potential with Wallace but overall its definitely weaker. Jenkins wasn't at his best last year but he still played well. 

Jenkins has lost a step each of the last two seasons, Looks like he blew coverage a few key times last year - odd for a veteran. I think younger is will work for safety

1 hour ago, eggs said:

Jenkins has lost a step each of the last two seasons, Looks like he blew coverage a few key times last year - odd for a veteran. I think younger is will work for safety

Agreed.  He's a big part of the reason why the Eagles secondary got torched in 2019

Overall, worse. 2021 and beyond might be better though.

Rough losing Jenkins.  I might be looking at things through green goggles, but I expect good things from Will Parks and Kvon Wallace...along with Mcleod.  We'll see how Mills does.  

Depth is much better and it's too early to tell how good/bad Mills will be but he seems to have the skill set to thrive in the roll. This year might be a tad worse but we're much better in the long run

Jenkins was starting to decline......and the eagles were not going to pay him like a top 5 safety, which he certainly is not.  His leadership may be missed initially and they may suffer some growing pains, but this was the right move........fans and media get too sentimental about these guys.  

And it's not as simple as better or worse.....The NFL is in constant change, and recognizing when to make a major change like this something that can keep teams competitive year after year.  They needed to get younger and faster on defense, and then mix in the salary cap concerns.  Sometimes it's better to take a step back so you can take 2 steps forward.

Now worse, easily. 

Future is looking bright though.