With Free Agency Near, Eagles Looking to Upgrade at Safety

According to Joe Person, Panthers beat writer from the Charlotte Observer, he expects the Eagles to be one of the teams who have interest in Panthers free agent safety Mike Mitchell once he hits the open market.

Playing on a one-year deal last season, Mitchell racked up 66 tackles, four interceptions, 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. He would add a play-maker to an Eagles secondary that doesn't have many of them - and hasn't really since the days of Brian Dawkins.

Since the days of Dawkins, the Eagles have holes at both safety spots. Mitchell can play either one. While he is not on the level of T.J. Ward or Jairus Byrd, he's coming off a career-year and will look to cash in after playing on a one-year, $1 million deal in Carolina.

One question regarding Mitchell, 27, was he a product of the Panthers' fearsome front seven?  One thing is for certain, Mitchell is a big-time hitter on the back end and does his best work as a blitzer and in coverage and would be a upgrade to the Eagles secondary.

In addition to Byrd and Ward, other possible names the Eagles could look to bring in at the safety position include Malcolm Jenkins, Chris Clemons or Donte Whitner.  Jenkins, 26, who could command close to $4-5 million annually on a multi-year deal, played for the Saints last season.  Clemons, 28, started all 16 games last season, finishing with 93 tackles and an interception. Whitner notched 73 tackles, two picks and two forced fumbles for the 49ers.

None of them will cost as much as Ward or Byrd but all three would be an upgrade to Nate Allen, Patrick Chung, Kurt Coleman and Colt Anderson.