Eagles Safety Search: Depth Options

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.

So far, BGN has reviewed a number of different starting safety options for the Eagles. But given the lack of bodies on the roster, the Eagles will need more than just a solid set of starters. Depth is important as well. Eagles safeties Kurt Coleman and Colt Anderson are free agents and it remains to be seen if they will be re-signed. With that said, let's take a look at some of the best depth options available on the free agent market.

Sergio Brown:

Brown (pictured) will turn 26 in May. He has good size at 6-2, 210 pounds. Brown went undrafted in the 2010 NFL Draft and signed with the Patriots. He started 3 games in 2011 but mostly played as a reserve. The Colts picked up Brown shortly after he was released in 2012. He's appeared in 30 games for Indy as a reserve.

Brown appears to have been a strong contributor on special teams to this point in his career. In 2011 he finished with the third most special teams tackles (10) on the Patriots. In 2012 (5) and 2013 (5), he was fourth on the Colts in special teams tackles. Brown is Rotoworld's 34th best available safety.

Darian Stewart:

Stewart is a name that was actually suggested by ESPN's K.C. Joyner (In$ider link). Here's what Joyner had to say about him:

Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has indicated he isn't likely to get into a bidding war for players and his free-agent history shows he looks for value players who can make an impact. Stewart fits that bill, as he excelled last season for St. Louis while filling in for strong safety T.J. McDonald in Weeks 5-10. The Rams gave up only 19 receptions for 189 yards and zero touchdowns to opposition tight ends in that time frame.

Stewart will turn 26 in May. He's 6-0, 214 pounds. After going undrafted in the 2010 NFL Draft, he signed with the Rams. In 54 career games played for St. Louis, he's started 19 of them. He also contributes on special teams.

Taylor Mays:

Mays, 26, has great size at 6-3, 220 pounds. He was selected with the 49th overall pick in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played in 16 games while starting 6 for the 49ers in his rookie year. Then he was traded to the Bengals and has played in 34 of their games but only started 4. Mays also plays special teams.

Craig Steltz:

Steltz, who will turn 28 in May, was originally drafted by the Bears with the No. 120 pick in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. The 6-1, 210 pound safety has carved out a role as a career as a special teams played and emergency starter. He's played in 77 career games for Chicago while having started 8 of them. Since 2010, he's never finished outside of the top 6 in special teams tackles on his team.

Darrell Stuckey:

Stuckey, who will turn 27 in July, was the Chargers' fourth round draft pick in 2010. The 5-11, 212 pound safety was the special teams captain in 2013. He's never made a start in his career but he has appeared in 43 games.

Update: Stuckey re-signs with the Chargers. So much for that.

Verdict:

There are a number of interesting depth options out there for the Eagles on the market. The team might just opt to re-sign Colt Anderson and/or Kurt Coleman, but it may be in their best interest to take a shot on a new guy who could be an upgrade as both a depth player and a special teams contributor. And who knows, maybe someone here could surprise and compete for a starting job.