Feb 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots free safety Devin McCourty (32) reacts after defeating the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Each week I’m looking at a different position of need for the Philadelphia Eagles and identifying 5 players in free agency, the draft, or trades that might fill it:

Last week I reminded you how terrible the Eagles’ secondary was in the final act of 2014 and mentioned a few cornerbacks as potential additions. But there were more than just corners back there giving up those big pass plays. And since Malcolm Jenkins might be the only starting defensive back left on the roster in a couple weeks (Nate Allen is a free agent and, even if brought back, seems best suited to a relief role)… today we’ll talk about safeties.

Talking about a need at safety, for the Philadelphia Eagles, is a tad more complex than it might be for a lot of teams because the Eagles eschew the traditional concept of a free safety that tends to play deeper and in space and a strong safety that is more likely to play in the box and with an eye toward the line of scrimmage.

Well if they don’t what that, what do they want then? Coach?

“For us, our safety has to be able to be a good tackler, he’s got to be a great communicator and he also has to be able to cover one‑on‑one at certain times. He also has to be able to have great range and play in the middle of the field because our safeties are interchangeable; we don’t just have one safety who is a down safety and one safety who is a high safety, they have to be able to do both.” – Chip Kelly via PhiladelphiaEagles.com