Malcolm Jenkins signs with Philadelphia Eagles
New Orleans Saints free safety Malcolm Jenkins (27) in the first quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports
The Philadelphia Eagles have a massive hole at safety, and they especially need a free safety who can excel in deep coverage. It makes the most sense for the Eagles to go for Buffalo Bills star Jairus Byrd if his price tag isn’t bloated, and I still think that’s a possibility even after this signing. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Eagles have signed former New Orleans Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins to a three-year deal worth $16.25 million, and this significant contract comes just minutes after the Eagles announced the release of previous starting strong safety Patrick Chung, who was a doomed offseason signing last year.
Although Jenkins isn’t nearly as injury-prone as Chung is, I’m not a big fan of this deal either. I think it’s too much money for an overrated safety who was a liability in coverage in New Orleans, and the Saints weren’t exactly looking to keep him either. Cap issues may have caused that, but they also went out of their way to work out Louis Delmas.
The Eagles should only start Jenkins as a strong safety in order to keep some of his weaknesses in check, and I still think they need to go for a top free safety. Even if Jenkins plays free safety, going for a top SS who can cover some would be a nice idea as well; I don’t think the Eagles are done with upgrades at safety, and I think they are a top FS away from having a locked in secondary.