DeAndre Houston-Carson

William & Mary Tribe safety DeAndre Houston-Carson played cornerback for his first three years of college. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)

Two starters from a confounding Eagles' secondary are set to hit free agency next month, further muddying ideas of how the position group will shape up in 2016.

Last season, Philly's defensive backfield appeared solid during the early parts of the season, but then suffered a history-making collapse while allowing Jameis Winston and Matt Stafford to throw for five touchdowns to zero interceptions in consecutive weeks.

A strong performance against Tom Brady interrupted a rocky end to the season, which continued a couple weeks later when Kirk Cousins lit up the Birds.

Yeah, it was a whirlwind.

Many pundits assume the addition of defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz should help quell consistency issues in the secondary. Shooing away coach Chip Kelly and his no-huddle offense also seems likely to help the Eagles' pass defense, at least from a statistical perspective.

But perhaps personnel head Howie Roseman wants to do more than that. And he'll have the option of looking to April's NFL Draft in hopes of bolstering talent in the defensive backfield.

Safety Walter Thurmond and cornerback Nolan Carroll are likely to become unrestricted free agents, so there's an immediate need to add depth. Even if 2015 second-round pick Eric Rowe replaces Carroll as the team's starting corner opposite Byron Maxwell, Philly could use a sturdy nickel back and some assurance at the position.

Here are a few defensive backs Philly could nab in the draft, whether they do it with their first-round selection -- No. 13 overall -- or later on.

MACKENSIE ALEXANDER, CB, CLEMSON

If the Eagles go after a cornerback in the first round, it'll either be Alexander or Vernon Hargreaves III. Alexander has been lauded by several news outlets as perhaps the best man-to-man coverage cornerback in the draft.

A former five-star recruit, he has the athleticism scouts covet. At 5 feet, 10 inches, his height is one of few concerns, but he's projected by CBS.com and ESPN to be drafted in the top half of the first round. If he's still there at No. 13, he might be the best player available for the Eagles.

VERNON HARGREAVES III, CB, FLORIDA

ESPN's Scouts Inc. ranks Hargreaves as the second-best defensive back prospect in the draft, behind only Florida State's Jalen Ramsey.

If Hargreaves, a finalist for the 2015 Jim Thorpe Award, somehow falls to No. 13, the Eagles might consider taking him. He was an All-SEC first team pick after each of his seasons at Florida and appears to possess the traits of a top-notch starter in the NFL.

DEANDRE HOUSTON-CARSON, S, WILLIAM & MARY

Houston-Carson isn't considered a likely early-round pick, but he's one of the more intriguing prospects in the draft class. Scouting services say he has all the physical tools and confidence NFL teams look for, but his lack of experience against big conference competition keeps teams skeptical.

He played his first three seasons at cornerback, but then slid over to free safety as a senior in 2015 and flashed big-play ability. He grabbed four interceptions last season -- including one he returned for a 94-yard touchdown -- and leveled several big hits.

MILES KILLEBREW, S, SOUTHERN UTAH

Another small school option for the Eagles to look at in the later rounds, Killebrew might be the best run-stopping strong safety in the draft class.

He made 132 tackles as a senior but also broke up seven passes and has been labeled as a linebacker-safety hybrid. Philly could be interested in his versatility, especially as they look to revamp both their linebacking corps and secondary under Schwartz.

-- @AaronKazreports