Don't worry. We'll wait.
As legal tampering ensued, 31 NFL teams re-signed a player from the previous season's roster. The Birds are the only team that didn't. Yeah, it's going to be an interesting offseason. Just look at all the talent that's left.
Most of the moves weren't shocking. Darius Slay and James Bradberry's releases were expected. Milton Williams, Josh Sweat, and Isaiah Rodgers were all given paydays.
Two trades were announced. Each move became official when the new league year began on March 12 at 4 p.m. EST.
Philly dealt Kenny Pickett to the Cleveland Browns and received a 2025 fifth-round draft choice and Dorian Thompson-Robinson as compensation. C.J. Gardner-Johnson was also dealt, so how are we feeling?
Anyone want to talk about safeties?
Ranking the top safeties in the 2025 NFL Draft class
This one caught us off guard. We aren't going to lie to you. Philly sent CJGJ to the Houston Texans along with a sixth-round draft choice in 2026. The Birds get a former first-rounder, guard Kenyon Green, and a 2026 fifth-rounder.
The Birds still have a nice core at the backend of their defense. It includes Reed Blankenship. Sydney Brown, Lewis Cine, and Tristin McCollum. There were rumors of interest in free-agent Justin Simmons, but we'd rather the Birds not add a safety via free agency.
There are some dudes in the coming NFL Draft if Philly wants to add one there. Here are the top five in the class. Add these guys to your imaginary draft boards as we expect the Birds will add them to the real one.
1. Malaki Starks, Georgia Bulldogs
We keep beating the Georgia thing to death, but no one seems to mention there are six guys on this team from Alabama. Anyway, this addition would make a lot of sense, but Malaki Starks seems like the guy on this list that Philly is least likely to acquire.
Some grade him as a top-15 selection, and even if the Birds got lucky and he slipped to 32, there are other needs that need to be addressed first (like an edge rusher).
2. Xavier Watts, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
For those who like their safeties to be of the ball-hawk nature, may we present Xavier Watts for your consideration? He stands at six-foot-tall and tips the scales at 203 pounds.
He grabbed 13 interceptions over the past two seasons (29 games) for the Irish including a pick-six. He also forced two fumbles and was a Consensus All-American last season.
3. Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina Gamecocks
Nick Emmanwori made himself a lot of money at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine. He's a big-bodied prospect (six-foot-three, 227 pounds) who moves with the speed and agility of a man who is half his size.
4. Andrew Mukuba, Texas Longhorns
Andrew Mukuba showed some moxie during the Longhorns' road win over the Michigan Wolverines. He notched 55 tackles, four interceptions, and six pass breakups during the most recent season en route to a Third-team All-SEC nod last season.
5. Lathan Ransom, Ohio State Buckeyes
Lathan Ransom is talented and instinctual. Five years in Columbus have helped him develop into one of college football's premier safeties who earned First-Team All-Big Ten honors.
He isn't the perfect prospect but should be among everyone's top five at the position.
Honorable mention: Sebastian Castro (Iowa Hawkeyes), Kevin Winston Jr. (Penn State Nittany Lions), Billy Bowman (Oklahoma Sooners)
Kevin Winston couldn't finish the season because of injury. Billy Bowman can't tackle. Sebastian Castro may only work in certain schemes. All have great traits though. All should be among most of the top draft scouts' top ten safeties.
Kevin Winston was graded as a first-rounder before said injury. Castro was a game-wrecker who earned Third-Team All-Big Ten honors. Bowman has a knack for making big plays. It will be intriguing to see how teams value all three.
