NFL Free Agency: Tashaun Gipson could be an interesting safety option for the Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles will likely be looking for a new safety this offseason. It seems like Walter Thurmond might not be in the plans, so if that's the case the team will need a new starter to pair with Malcolm Jenkins. The good news for the Eagles is that they might be able to find a safety in NFL free agency. There are several options on the market. The Eagles are reportedly interested in a "high-end" talent. Previously we profiled Bengals safety George Iloka as a potential option. Today we're sticking in the AFC North and looking at Cleveland Browns defensive back Tashaun Gipson.

NFL Career

The 25-year-old Gipson measures in at 5-11, 205 pounds. He played college football for Wyoming before going undrafted in the 2012 NFL Draft. Since signing with the Browns, he's played in 50 games and started 42 of them. He's recorded 156 tackles, 14 interceptions, 23 passes defensed, two defensive touchdowns, and one forced fumble in his four-year career.

Appeal to Eagles

We mentioned Gipson as a trade option prior to the 2015 season. Gipson was a Pro Bowl player in 2014. He led the AFC in interceptions and interception return yards in 2013 and 2014. He clearly has a nose for the ball. Any team would love to have a player who can create big plays like that. So why isn't Gipson getting more buzz? Well, he didn't play so well last season. Here's an explanation from our friends over at Dawgs By Nature:

"In 2015, CB Joe Haden was pretty much concussed all year, and Cleveland's group of cornerbacks played awful. I've never seen so many cornerbacks beat on deep balls up the sideline. Gipson's role was to be the single-high deep safety, and quarterbacks never seemed to attack the middle. They didn't have to. In a way, it made it feel like Cleveland was playing with 10 players on defense -- but again, that doesn't mean Gipson wasn't doing his job. If I had one knock that could be attributed to Gipson this year, it's the fact that he missed more tackles than he had in previous years."

Gipson will probably have his fair share of suitors on the open market so it's not like he'll be signing cheap. But he might not break the bank either due to his struggles in 2015. A team might be able to get him at a reasonable price while betting on his ability to bounce back. Gipson's issues with injuries might also drive his cost down.

Watch Gipson's highlights here (Warning: Music NSFW).

Appeal to Gipson

It doesn't seem like Gipson and the Browns are on best terms. Gipson skipped voluntary workouts last offseason after the Browns only tendered him at the second round level. According to a report, Gipson recently told fellow Browns starting safety Donte Whitner that he doesn't expect to be back with Cleveland. It sounds like Gipson will hit the open market so the Eagles will have an opportunity to talk with him if they're interested. From there, they'll have to make a competitive offer.