Marcus Epps could be Eagles’ biggest defensive X-Factor in 2022
Eagles fans are abuzz right now in a way that they haven’t been since 2011.
Take that for what it’s worth, as that was the “Dream Team” season. In 2017, the Eagles organization and fans alike thought it could be a playoff-bound season, not one that ended with green confetti falling in Minneapolis.
Truthfully, this year’s buzz can only be compared to the 2011 “Dream Team” Eagles and the 2004 McNabb/T.O. team. One completely flopped and the other went on to finally break through the NFC Championship “curse” only to lose the Super Bowl by 3 points.
Much of the buzz can be attributed to a completely revamped pass rush and linebacking core with the additions of Kyzir White, Haason Reddick, Nakobe Dean, and the unbelievably large human refrigerator that is DT Jordan Davis. However, all offseason the one position that was rumored to be filled through free agency, the Draft, or trade and was not was free safety.
When I had a few minutes to speak with Avonte Maddox in June, he candidly told me that he thought Marcus Epps was being slept on and that “he’s going to surprise people.” “He’s good for real.”
Those comments came to be backed up a couple of weeks later by the recently retired Eagles’ legendary safety, Malcolm Jenkins, on my buddy Conor Myles from SI’s podcast where he said that Epps is “somebody who is physically gifted and is smart enough to understand defenses and where he needs to be in alignments. I think he’s soaked up a lot of game.”
We know that “Big Play” Darius Slay is a whole lot better than the not top 10 ranking that ESPN.com gave him last week. We know that James Bradberry could potentially be the best CB2 since Sheldon Brown. We know that SS Jaquiski Tartt is a human hit stick.
Unfortunately, we also know that — at this point in his career — Anthony Harris is a glorified box safety. Johnny Page from Bleeding Green Nation did an honest, thorough deep-dive into the game film on Anthony Harris. The athleticism simply isn’t there anymore to defend against the fast-twitch guys that safeties have to defend in the slot.
That brings us to the 26-year-old Marcus Epps out of Wyoming. In three seasons, Epps has 3 interceptions and 115 tackles while platooning with Rodney McLeod, “rising up the depth chart” as Malcolm Jenkins told Conor Myles.
The Eagles could’ve paid top-dollar in free agency to acquire “The Honey Badger”, Tyrann Mathieu. They could have (and still could) sacrifice the strong draft capital they have to acquire Jessie Bates III from the Cincinnati Bengals — who is expected to skip Bengals Training Camp while seeking a new deal. However, we are two weeks from Training Camp and Marcus Epps is the starting free safety. The organization clearly believes he will at least be serviceable.
To be clear, the Eagles don’t need Epps to be Ed Reed or Brian Dawkins. With the trio of Darius Slay, James Bradberry, and the aforementioned Avonte Maddox, safety help over the top should be less necessary than it has been in a long time in Philadelphia. However, when they play teams like the Cardinals, Packers, and the Cowboys, Epps will simply have to make plays.
If Epps plays anywhere near a Pro Bowl level this year, this Eagles defense could be special. If he struggles, he could be the goat of a potentially disappointing 2022 season.
The x-factor on offense is obviously the growth of Jalen Hurts’ anticipatory throws and ability to allow receivers run-after-catch opportunities. I believe the x-factor on defense will be the growth of Marcus Epps and his ability to take a load off of potentially the best CB trio in the league.
The Eagles’ front office is clearly betting on Marcus Epps; they’re clearly betting that Epps is far better than we know. We’ll see soon if they’re right.
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Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch | Getty Images
