Eagles Safety Search: Antoine Bethea

The Eagles will look to add some safety talent this season through both free agency and the draft. With three long-time Eagles safeties set to hit free agency and Pat Chung probably on his way out, Philadelphia may need to add several players at the position. The Eagles biggest priority for free agency may be bolstering the safety unit.

Indianapolis Colts safety Antoine Bethea is a veteran safety option the Eagles could consider. He's a proven starter with many years of experience in the league. Bethea is the No. 4 ranked available safety on Rotoworld.

NFL Career

Antoine Bethea, a 2x Pro Bowler, was selected by the Colts in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft at pick No. 207 overall. He's been with the team ever since, having started and played in a total of 123 games over eight seasons. He's never started less than 13 games in a season during that stretch, proving his durability.

Bethea finished with the 5th most tackles among safeties in 2013. He also only missed seven tackles, making him one of the most efficient tacklers in the league.

Appeal to the Eagles

Bethea, who turns 30 in July, is a reliable, veteran safety the Eagles could sign as a short-term answer. He's reportedly a good locker room presence, which was a common theme among the Eagles free agent class last year. Bethea's sure tackling could be appealing to the Eagles.

Appeal to Bethea

Bethea has stayed in Indianapolis for so long and I don't imagine he's ready to leave just yet. He doesn't have any real reason to sign with the Eagles unless they outbid the competition. It's hard to see him leaving Indy. The Colts have a lot of cap space to work with.

Bottom Line

If the Eagles want a quality stop-gap veteran safety, Bethea would make a lot of sense.