Marcus Epps has reportedly been making a statement early into the Philadelphia Eagles training camp. His stock has gone up to being the favorite for starting safety role at the beginning of the regular season. In addition, according to EJ Smith of The Inquirer, Eagles DC Johnathan Gannon stated that Epps is “very reliable, smart, tough, and he has got a very unique skillset that you need, in my opinion, to play safety in the NFL today”. Not to mention, that Epps did pick Jalen Hurts off in one of the defensive passing drills during training camp. With that said, this article will look at what Epps has done so in his NFL career and the chances of him being a starting safety. This is the Philadelphia Eagles Player Spotlight: Marcus Epps
Epps started his NFL career as a Viking in 2019. He was drafted in the sixth round with the 191st pick by Minnesota Vikings in the 2019 NFL Draft. He played in eight games with the Vikings in 2019 as he accumulated only one tackle. After a little bit of time, Epps was then claimed off waivers by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2019. After Epps was claimed, he did get a little more playing time that year in Philadelphia. He had five tackles and one assist with the Eagles. Epps did have a little bit of a rough start during his first year in the NFL, but that is a part of the transition from college to pro football.
Photo courtesy of USA Today.
Epps significantly improved in 2020 with the Eagles. He started five games with the Eagles that year and played in 14. He had 47 total tackles and 12 assists. Epps also gave production in the turnover department that year with two interceptions. This is a huge improvement from his rookie year, and he improved more during the 2021 season. He had a career high 62 tackles, 23 assists and five pass deflections. Epps also had one interception in 2021.
Epps has good competition. Right now, ESPN has long time 49er Jaquiski Tartt listed as starter on their depth chart. Tartt agreed to a one-year deal with the Eagles in June. Tartt had one of the best years of his career in 2021 numbers wise. He had a career high 66 tackles, five tackles for a loss, and one pass deflection. In addition, he has been putting up numbers like this since his rookie year in 2015.
Another name on the depth chart is K’ Von Wallace who is young. He has played in the NFL for two years but has not proven he can provide the production that Epps and Tartt can. Wallace started three games with the Eagles in 2021. He has 15 total tackles and three assists. What fans have to realize right now is that we are still very early into training camp. Epps has come out as the front runner in the first few days of training camp, but Tartt does have more experience in the NFL. It will come down to who the Eagles think has performed better during the offseason and who will give them the best chance to win.
This concludes this Philadelphia Eagles Player Spotlight on Marcus Epps.
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