The Philadelphia Eagles enter training camp knowing Andrew Mukuba will occupy one starting safety position. Everything surrounding the second-year defender remains open to experimentation.
Marcus Epps is the leading candidate to start next to Mukuba in nickel packages, while Cooper DeJean is expected to align at safety when Philadelphia uses its base defense. Michael Carter II could also receive work on the back end as defensive coordinator Vic Fangio searches for the right combinations following Reed Blankenship’s departure.
The competition extends beyond the starting lineup. Andre’ Sam is attempting to advance from the practice squad to a permanent role, J.T. Gray brings an elite special teams resume, and rookies Cole Wisniewski and Maximus
Pulley offer different defensive skill sets.
Philadelphia carried three safeties on its initial 53-man roster last season, but DeJean’s versatility and Gray’s special teams value could influence how the Eagles construct the position in 2026.
Andrew Mukuba
Mukuba enters his second season as the only true safety with a clear starting role. Philadelphia selected him in the second round of the 2025 draft, and he quickly demonstrated the instincts, range and ball skills needed to operate on the back end of Fangio’s defense.
The former Texas standout started 10 games and played 60% of Philadelphia’s regular-season defensive snaps before suffering a fractured ankle that ended his season. He recorded 46 tackles, two interceptions, three passes defensed and a half-sack in 11 appearances. One of his interceptions came against Patrick Mahomes during Philadelphia’s Week 2 victory over Kansas City.
Mukuba’s recovery will be one of the most important developments to monitor during camp. The Eagles need to determine whether he has regained his explosiveness and confidence after undergoing surgery, but there is no indication that his starting position is in jeopardy.
The larger question concerns how much responsibility Mukuba can handle. Blankenship’s departure leaves Philadelphia without its most experienced communicator on the back end. Mukuba must continue developing from a promising young starter into the stabilizing presence around whom Fangio can structure the secondary.
Marcus Epps
Epps enters camp as the favorite to start next to Mukuba when Philadelphia uses five or more defensive backs. His familiarity with the organization and Fangio’s system gives him an advantage in a competition without another experienced every-down safety.
The 30-year-old returned to Philadelphia in 2025 after spending two seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders. He initially contributed as a reserve and on special teams before starting four games late in the season.
Epps has made 49 starts in 94 career games, recording 296 tackles, three interceptions and 18 passes defensed. He does not need to become a high-volume playmaker to earn the job. Philadelphia needs him to communicate, tackle consistently and prevent explosive plays.
The Eagles know what Epps can provide, but his position should not be considered automatic. Fangio has described the competition as open, and the coaching staff will evaluate Carter and the younger safeties throughout camp. Epps remains the safest option, but Philadelphia must determine whether he is also the best one.
Cooper DeJean
DeJean remains Philadelphia’s starting nickel cornerback, but his role in the base defense makes him an essential part of the safety conversation. Fangio has indicated that DeJean will align at safety in base packages before moving into the slot when the Eagles use nickel personnel.
That plan allows Philadelphia to keep one of its best defensive backs on the field without forcing him into one permanent position. DeJean can cover the slot, play near the line of scrimmage, support the run and handle safety responsibilities depending on the formation.
His versatility also changes how the Eagles can construct the roster. Philadelphia does not necessarily need four traditional safeties active on game days if DeJean can provide snaps at the position. That could allow the Eagles to retain another cornerback, linebacker, or special-teams contributor.
DeJean’s safety role will not replace his work in the slot. It will give Fangio another way to disguise coverages and put one of his most instinctive defenders near the football.
J.T. Gray
Gray’s strongest case for a roster spot has little to do with the starting safety competition. The veteran has established himself as one of the NFL’s premier special teams players during an eight-year career.
Gray ranks second among active NFL players with 92 special teams tackles and has earned three All-Pro selections for his work in the kicking game. He spent his first seven seasons with New Orleans before playing for Denver and Tampa Bay in 2025.
The Eagles experienced inconsistency on special teams last season and signed Gray to provide leadership, experience and immediate production. His defensive role may be limited, but his ability to cover kicks and punts could make him more valuable than a younger safety with greater long-term upside.
Gray will still receive defensive opportunities during camp. If he proves capable of handling emergency snaps at safety while maintaining his special teams production, he should have a legitimate path to the initial 53-man roster.
Cole Wisniewski
Philadelphia selected Wisniewski with the 244th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2026 draft. At 6-foot-3 and 219 pounds, he brings a physical profile that differs from the other young safeties competing for reserve roles.
Wisniewski began his college career at North Dakota State, where he became a first-team FCS All-American and won two national championships, before transferring to Texas Tech. He completed his college career with 294 tackles, eight interceptions, 20 passes defensed, five forced fumbles and two sacks.
His strengths are most apparent when he plays downhill. Wisniewski diagnoses running plays, embraces contact and generally finishes as a reliable tackler. Coverage range and change-of-direction ability will be important areas to evaluate against NFL receivers and tight ends.
Wisniewski’s draft status does not guarantee a roster spot, but it reflects an organizational investment. He can strengthen his case by demonstrating enough coverage ability to serve as a defensive reserve while contributing on multiple special teams units.
Andre’ Sam
Sam enters his third training camp with the Eagles after signing as an undrafted free agent out of LSU in 2024. Philadelphia waived him during final cuts in each of his first two summers but continued bringing him back to the practice squad.
He appeared in three games last season and was elevated for Philadelphia’s wild-card matchup against San Francisco. Those opportunities demonstrate that the Eagles value his development, even though he has not secured a permanent role.
Sam’s familiarity with the defense gives him an advantage over the rookies. He understands Fangio’s terminology, knows the organization’s practice expectations, and has experience moving between the practice squad and active roster.
The challenge is converting that familiarity into a definitive strength. Sam must demonstrate that he can be trusted on defense or separate himself on special teams. Another practice-squad position is possible, but this could be his best opportunity to earn a spot on the initial roster.
Maximus Pulley
Pulley enters camp as one of Philadelphia’s more intriguing undrafted rookies. The Wofford product recorded 85 tackles, blocked a punt and led his conference with five interceptions during his final college season. He returned two of those interceptions for touchdowns.
That production helped Pulley earn consensus FCS All-America recognition and Wofford’s team MVP award. His ability to create turnovers gives him a trait that can attract attention during camp and preseason games.
Pulley faces a difficult transition from the FCS level to an NFL defense, particularly when processing route combinations and matching up with professional receivers. He must also prove that his ball production translates when speed and margin for error increase.
Special teams will determine whether Pulley can challenge for a roster spot. If he tackles consistently and shows value on coverage units, he could make the competition more difficult than expected. Otherwise, he profiles as a developmental practice-squad candidate.
Biggest question: Who starts next to Andrew Mukuba?
Epps enters camp as the logical answer, but Philadelphia’s plan is more complicated than naming two permanent starters. DeJean will play safety in base personnel and move to nickel when the Eagles add a fifth defensive back. That would bring Epps onto the field next to Mukuba in passing situations.
The arrangement gives Fangio flexibility, but the Eagles still need a dependable alternative if Mukuba or Epps misses time. Carter should receive an opportunity at safety, while Wisniewski, Sam and Pulley compete to establish themselves as viable defensive reserves.
Gray’s special teams value makes him difficult to evaluate solely against the other safeties. He could earn a roster spot without playing extensively on defense, leaving Wisniewski and Sam in direct competition for another job.
Projected roster: Andrew Mukuba, Marcus Epps, J.T. Gray and Cole Wisniewski, with Cooper DeJean playing safety in base packages.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Eagles safety preview: Andrew Mukuba leads a changing position
