On March 11, the first day in which free agents could sign with other clubs, the Eagles struck a three-year deal with former Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins, a decorated collegiate cornerback at Ohio State who switched positions in the pros.
The Eagles’ quick move for Jenkins clearly signaled their belief he could bolster a position of need. And as it turns out, it may well have been a reflection of their confidence in finding rookie safety help.
At a press conference Thursday, Eagles G.M. Howie Roseman told reporters safety was not a particularly deep position in this year’s draft.
“In terms of the safety class, I don’t think it’s a good group overall,” Roseman said, according to Sheil Kapadia of PhillyMag.com. “I think you’re talking about a dropoff certainly when you get into Saturday.”
Judging from Roseman’s remarks, the best time for the Eagles to add a safety could be in the first two days of the draft. The club has one pick in each of the first three rounds (Nos. 22, 54, 86).
Four safeties — Alabama’s Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Northern Illinois’ Jimmie Ward, Florida State’s Terrence Brooks and Louisville’s Calvin Pryor — rank in the top third of Rotoworld draft expert Josh Norris’ list of the top 150 draft prospects.