Eagles Looking at Walter Thurmond III at Safety

The Eagles safety spot has been a problem since Brian Dawkins left the team in 2008.

The team drafted Nate Allen in 2010 in the second round to try and replace him, but after four inconsistent seasons in Philly, he is gone.  Earl Wolff was traded in 2013 in the fifth round and showed some promise - but was a healthy scratch nine times last season.

Now the team is trying out new Eagle Walter Thurmond III at safety during the OTAs, the sixth-year pro has never played safety in the NFL and has been limited by injures throughout much of his career.

Many Eagles observers thought Nolan Carroll or maybe one of the sixth round picks JaCorey Shepherd or Randall Evans might take some reps at safety, but its Thurmond who is getting the first opportunity to play that position.

"He's always around the ball," Kelly explained when asked what stood out about Thurmond's skill set as a safety. "I think he's had a lot of experience playing nickel, so he's been an inside guy.  He can see things.  He's very intelligent.  He's an intuitive football player.  He is the first guy out of that corner mix that is getting a shot at inside."

(Listen to CSNPhilly.com Eagles insider Geoff Mosher talk Eagles OTA's)