NFC East’s best safety room shouldn’t be a surprise

There are a couple of positions on the defense that the Dallas Cowboys have relatively ignored for the past decade and a half.

The defensive philosophy didn’t call for Dallas to invest high draft capital or big dollars in free agency on defensive tackle or safety.

That thinking has changed since the arrival of Dan Quinn.

For defensive tackle, the Cowboys historically have solely invested in 3-technique.

The 1-technique position was finally addressed through trade for Jonathan Hankins last year, and 1st round pick Mazi Smith this season.

Safety was shored up by signing Malik Hooker in free agency, and then rewarding Donovan Wilson with a fat new contract.

Today I will be ranking the safety rooms throughout the NFC East as we wrap up the position rankings series.

To catch yourself up on the rest of the defense, utilize the following links.
Defensive tackle
Defensive end/EDGE
Linebacker
Cornerback

Analysis will be done in team alphabetical order, with rankings revealed at the end of the article.

Cowboys S Jayron Kearse

Dallas Cowboys

Projected starters: Donovan Wilson, Jayron Kearse, Malik Hooker
Key contributor(s): Israel Mukuamu, Markquese Bell

Donovan Wilson

Awarded with the first big safety contract doled out by the Cowboys’ front office in over a decade, Donovan Wilson certainly deserves it.

Wilson has developed into the Swiss Army Knife of Quinn’s defense.

Dono can do it all. Tackling, coverage, and even pass rush.

In three years of Quinn’s scheme, he has rewarded Dallas with 201 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions, 8.5 sacks, and 13 QB hits.

Re-signing Dono was a must to maintain the three safety look, and to keep the tone-setter of the defense in a Cowboys uniform.

Jayron Kearse

In five seasons with Minnesota and Detroit, Jayron Kearse played primarily special teams.

He never eclipsed 26% of the defensive snaps in a season until he hit 66% in his lone season with the Lions.

That was enough for Dan Quinn to see something he could develop.

Nobody expected a career special teams player to have the impact that the “Pterrordactyl” has had in two seasons.

Many projected that he wouldn’t even make the team, so when he totaled 101 tackles and 2 interceptions in 2021, it was a shock.

Kearse has become the answer to covering opposing athletic tight ends.

He has erased players like Travis Kelce, Kyle Pitts, and division rival Dallas Goedert.

Jayron is also the defense’s vocal leader on the field, and has been trusted to wear the green dot when Leighton Vander-Esch was out with injury.

His contributions to the defense are invaluable.

Malik Hooker

If Dono is the hard hitter and Kearse is the hybrid safety, Malik Hooker is the Cowboys’ pure coverage safety of the group.

Hooker, a 1st round pick of the Colts, spent most of his first four seasons nursing various injuries.

The final blow was a ruptured Achilles tendon two games into the 2020 season.

Indianapolis chose not to exercise his 5th year option, and he signed with Dallas in free agency.

In two seasons with Dallas, Hooker has played in 31 of a possible 33 regular season games.

He has four interceptions, and even returned a fumble 38 yards for a touchdown.

His 1st round pedigree has been on display, and the team hopes he can maintain his healthy games streak.

Israel Mukuamu/Markquese Bell

Israel Mukuamu is a 6th round pick who only appeared in four games his rookie year of 2021.

Injuries to the secondary compounded by poor play from Nahshon Wright and Kelvin Joseph prompted Dallas coaches to give Izzy more snaps.

Dan Quinn had a vision that Mukuamu’s size (6’4″ 202lbs) and length (34″ arms, 80 3/4″ wingspan) could give slot wide receivers fits.

He was right. Izzy subbed in on certain packages at cornerback instead of safety, and played well.

I personally hope to see more of him on the field in 2023.

Markquese Bell signed as an undrafted free agent, and only appeared in five games his rookie season.

The Cowboys like his traits, but it would be difficult for him to crack into the defensive rotation unless there is an injury.

LANDOVER, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 16: Xavier McKinney #29 of the New York Giants walks onto the field against the Washington Football Team prior to an NFL game at FedExField on September 16, 2021 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

New York Giants

Projected starters: Xavier McKinney, Jason Pinnock
Key contributor(s): Bobby McCain, Dane Belton

Xavier McKinney

The New York Giants drafted Xavier McKinney with a high 2nd round pick in the 2020 draft.

After a quiet rookie season, his sophomore campaign was a bright spot in an otherwise underwhelming defense.

His five interceptions led the team, but he regressed to zero interceptions in 2022.

McKinney missed seven games with an injury, and hopes to return to his 2021 form for the upcoming season.

Jason Pinnock

Jason Pinnock is entering his third season, and for now looks to get his first chance at a starting role.

A 5th round pick of the Jets in 2021, Pinnock joined the Giants last season and saw an increased defensive role as the year progressed.

The Giants see potential, and hope he can build on his strong finish to the 2022 season.

Bobby McCain/Dane Belton

Veteran Bobby McCain is currently listed as the third safety on the depth chart, but could easily assume a starting role.

McCain is an eight year veteran who has started 47 games over the past three seasons with Miami and Washington.

Dane Belton could be in the starting conversation as well entering his sophomore campaign.

He started five games last year, recording two interceptions and two fumble recoveries while mostly contributing on special teams.

Eagles S Reed Blankenship

Philadelphia Eagles

Projected starters: Terrell Edmunds, Reed Blankenship
Key contributor(s): K’Von Wallace, Sydney Brown

Terrell Edmunds

Terrell Edmunds is the newest addition to the Eagles secondary.

A former 1st round pick of the Steelers, Edmunds was allowed to test free agency after his rookie contract expired.

Edmunds had a down year by his standards last season, recording career lows for tackles and interceptions.

The departure of one year rental Chauncey Gardner-Johnson prompted the Eagles to add a veteran in free agency.

He has big shoes to fill.

Reed Blankenship

A young player the Eagles are very excited for is Reed Blankenship.

Blankenship made the final roster after signing as a rookie undrafted free agent last season.

An injury to Gardner-Johnson forced him into a bigger role on the defense, and he showed flashes of good play.

The Eagles are putting a great deal of faith in this second year player to make the leap in 2023.

K’Von Wallace/Sydney Brown

Special teams player K’Von Wallace vaults into third on the depth chart by default.

He has averaged only 18% of the defensive snaps over his first three seasons, but could be thrust into a more important role this year.

Sydney Brown is a 3rd round selection in this year’s draft who could push for early playing time if he performs like he did in college.

The Eagles traded up in the 3rd to select Brown so they like his traits.

Commanders S Kamren Curl

Washington Commanders

Projected starters: Kamren Curl, Darrick Forrest
Key contributor(s): Jeremy Reaves, Jartavius Martin

Kamren Curl

After a solid rookie season with three interceptions and 2.0 sacks, Kamren Curl appeared to have plateaued in the next two years.

He now has the first opportunity to lock up a starting spot on the roster for the Commanders unless a younger player outshines him.

Darrick Forrest

Darrick Forrest is an ascending player entering his third season in the NFL.

After a lackluster rookie year, he started 11 games last season and recorded four interceptions.

He made the most of his opportunity, and looks to build on that for the upcoming season.

Jeremy Reaves/Jartavius Martin

I found it very interesting that the Commanders’ depth chart projection for 2023 has Jeremy Reaves as a backup.

His play in 2022 earned him 1st team All-Pro honors. Then I realized it wasn’t for safety, but for special teams.

He is a solid special teams contributor who likely will repeat his 14% defensive snap rate unless an injury occurs.

Jartavius Martin was drafted in the 2nd round, joining his Illinois running mate Sydney Brown in the NFC East.

He could push for a starting job if he can develop quickly.

Final Rankings

Dallas Cowboys
Philadelphia Eagles
New York Giants
Washington Commanders