The signings of Jason Peters, Jason Kelce, Riley Cooper and Jeremy Maclin this week have solidified the offense for the 1014 season, and beyond, but what about the defense? It’s obvious that the Birds need help in the secondary and particularly at the safety position. If you’re the Eagles do you sign higher priced free agents and draft the best available position regardless of position or attempt to build the safety position through the draft?

Following is a look at the top rated safeties on the free agent market:

Jairus Byrd, S, Buffalo Bills: Byrd is the best safety on the market. The Bills will do everything they can to keep him. Byrd and Earl Thomas are the game’s top cover safeties.

T.J. Ward, S, Cleveland Browns: Ward is a bit of a reach. He’s better against the run than the pass.

Malcolm Jenkins, S, New Orleans Saints: It wasn’t long ago that Jenkins was viewed as one of the best safeties in the NFL.

Donte Whitner, S, San Francisco 49ers: Whitner is an 8 year NFL veteran. Can he fill the needs or the Eagles?

Louis Delmas, S, Detroit Lions: Delmas would come with a reputation as being a big hitter.

Antoine Bethea, S, Indianapolis Colts: Bethea is a solid cover guy. The Colts will try to resign him. If he hits the market he will be costly.

The draft is thin at the safety position with only two projected 1st round picks. Here they are:

Ha Ha Clinton-Dix – Alabama. CLinton-Dix is a solid player that will be gone before the Eagles pick.

Calvin Pryor – Louisville. Pryor’s stock has been all over the board. He has been projected as a mid to late 1st rounder all the way down to a mid 2nd round pick.

So Eagles fans here’s your chance to vote on what way the Eagles should go, sign the best free agent they can, select the best available safety in the draft or sit tight with what they presently have.

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