The safety spot rankings are all over the place in the NFC East. The Dallas Cowboys are in the midst of a complete overhaul that could leave them with three brand-new starters. The New York Giants are on the opposite end, returning both starters and bringing back a past one after a season away. The Philadelphia Eagles will have a completely different duo after winning the Super Bowl two years ago with Reed Blankenship leaving as a free agent this offseason. The Commanders have Quan Martin returning, but signed Nick Cross to start on the other side.
This may be the easiest position to rank aside from edge rushers. The best starting pair matters most, with depth coming in if it’s close. Every team has a solid option for three-safety sets or for depth if a starter is injured.
4: Washington Commanders
Martin has started 32 games across the last two seasons and is a good tackler who doesn’t add much in terms of playmaking ability. Nick Cross is a better-than-average starter who signed this offseason after averaging 133 tackles and 5.5 TFLs, totaling 3.5 sacks and four interceptions.
Will Harris is an average reserve safety with 62 starts in seven seasons, 22 pass deflections and 3 interceptions. Jeremy Reaves is a veteran backup who has over 1,400 defensive and special teams snaps over his eight-season career.
3: Philadelphia Eagles
All-Pro Cooper DeJean is technically a cornerback, but after the loss of Blankenship, the team plans to play him at safety more often, which improves the unit. Andrew Mukuba had a solid rookie campaign, starting 10 games with two interceptions, three pass deflections, and nearly 50 tackles. He needs to make a big leap in Year 2 for the defense to maintain its high level of play after losing starters the last two offseasons.
Marcus Epps and Michael Carter II have plenty of starting experience, which should help them contribute as needed in a complex Vic Fangio defense. If DeJean is playing half his snaps at safety, the unit could be better than the one in New York, but if he is a corner who plays safety occasionally, then the Eagles need guys to step up.
2: New York Giants
The New York Giants have a plus safety pairing in Jevon Holland and Tyler Nubin, despite not reaching the level achieved prior to 2025. Nubin had nearly 100 tackles in his rookie season as a box safety, but he dealt with injuries last year, and his play didn’t jump as they had hoped. Holland has been an excellent playmaking free safety, but last year was more about improving coverage than just making big plays. He allowed his lowest completion percentage, yards, QB rating, and touchdowns allowed.
Behind the starters, Jason Pinnock is back after a down year for the San Francisco 49ers. He can start if anyone is injured, and he is a quality third safety option.
1: Dallas Cowboys
Dallas fans have been asking for the team to value the safety position since Roy Williams left in 2008. The front office finally made it happen. Jalen Thompson is the largest per-season contract Jerry Jones has signed since Brandon Carr, and they used a first-round pick on blue-chip defensive back Caleb Downs.
That is the most talented duo in the NFC East, and the team also signed spot starter P.J. Locke III and reworked Malik Hooker’s contract. The position is deep with Alijah Clark and Markquese Bell, likely battling for one spot on the 53-man roster. The team that devalued safety may now have five options that have played high-quality snaps as starters.
You can find Mike Crum on Twitter @cdpiglet or on YouTube at Across the Cowboys podcast
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys, Giants battle it out for NFC East’s best safety rooms in 2026
Reporting by Mike Crum, Cowboys Wire / Cowboys Wire
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By Mike Crum, Cowboys Wire | USA TODAY Network
