The New York Giants are gearing up for training camp in July. Each team in the NFC East has restructured its roster in hopes of success in the upcoming 2026 season. This is the inaugural post in our position-by-position look at the NFC East.
The team with the best positional group is assigned four points, and the “worst” receives one point. It is a complex formula, up there with E=MC², but we’ll attempt to deliver the information in a palatable manner, and I’m sure it will be well received by all
fan bases, of course. With that, let’s talk safety!
Philadelphia Eagles
Andrew Mukuba, Marcus Epps, Cole Wisniewski, Michael Carter II, J.T. Gray, Andre’ Sam, Maximus Pulley
I could end up with a lot of egg on my face with this call – especially safeties coming from a Vic Fangio-coached defense. Still, the loss of Reed Blankenship and Sydney Brown has opened up opportunities for other players who were already on the Eagles roster. Andrew Mukuba was a stud at Texas and does well near the line of scrimmage and in the robber role. Marcus Epps had 308 snaps from Philadelphia last year; he is set to start, but does have competition with Michael Carter II, who came over from the Jets.
I have the Giants over the Eagles, which isn’t exactly reassuring, but there are a lot of questions with this Eagles safety group. Cole Wisniewski was also drafted in the seventh round as the fourth safety. Some players were considered cornerbacks for this exercise who can play safety as well, but the safeties on the roster that are under consideration for this earn the Eagles just one point.
Points: 1
New York Giants
Jevon Holland, Tyler Nubin, Jason Pinnock, Beau Brade, Raheem Layne, Elijah Campbell
Yikes, giving the Giants two points for the safety group we witnessed in 2025 certainly appears to be the protagonist from The Simpsons. However, I do believe both Jevon Holland and Tyler Nubin are better football players than what we saw under Shane Bowen, and we’re prognosticating in this post. Dennard Wilson should get more out of both starters. Sure, the Giants invested heavily in the position with both Holland (three-year, $45.3 million) and Nubin (second-round pick), but I do believe the team will get more from the duo.
I like that Schoen brought back Jason Pinnock. Beau Brade is also on the roster, as is Ar’Darius Washington, although Washington was considered a nickelback for the exercise. Other special teams players include Elijah Campbell and Raheem Layne. The Giants safety group has a lot to prove, but they did earn an extra point over Philadelphia in this exercise.
Points: 2
Washington Commanders
Will Harris, Nick Cross, Quan Martin, Jeremy Reaves, Percy Butler, Robert McDaniel, Malik Spencer
Washington has five solid safety options, including veterans and players who are entering the prime of their careers. Will Harris and Nick Cross sit atop their depth chart, with the latter coming over from the Colts. Jeremy Reaves and Quan Martin have been with the team for a few years, and both have shown quality football, with Martin being an athletic freak who can also play near the line of scrimmage and occupy the slot. Percy Butler played well in 2023 but has dealt with various injuries over the last two seasons, and fell out of favor a bit last year.
The Commanders don’t have a clear-cut No. 1 safety, but they do have savvy vets, hard hitters, athletic upside players, and a well-rounded group that Dan Quinn can certainly have fun coordinating. For that, Washington earned three points.
Points: 3
Dallas Cowboys
Caleb Downs, Malik Hooker, Jalen Thompson, Marquese Bell, Julius Wood, P.J. Locke, Alijah Clark
Dallas has the strongest safety group in the NFC East. Downs is a star in the making who could help new defensive coordinator Christian Parker earn more notoriety around the league. Hooker is a veteran with range and single-high ability, and the signing of Jalen Thompson was one of the more underrated signings of the offseason. Thompson spent seven years in Arizona, consistently playing over 900 snaps with impressive tape. Expect to see plenty of three-safety looks from Dallas.
Markquese Bell has played well, and P.J Locke provides veteran depth. Overall, Dallas has a talented secondary and a good safety room. The glue to it all is Downs, a rookie with impressive football intelligence.
Points: 4
Final thoughts
Dallas has difference makers in their safety room; none of the other three teams possess players of that caliber. The Commanders have good depth, and they’re well-rounded. The Giants have unrealized talent with the potential to make more impact than we’ve seen, and so does Philadelphia. Still, the Giants have slightly more talent than the Eagles, giving them the extra point.
