How likely are the Eagles to select a safety in Round 1 of NFL draft?

Fans of the Philadelphia Eagles selecting Emmanuel McNeil-Warren in Round 1 may want to temper their expectations, maybe. If you're a strong believer in the theory that the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior, history isn't on your side.

Philadelphia has long operated with a clear draft philosophy. Premium positions come first. That has been true dating back to the Andy Reid era and has carried over under Howie Roseman. Offensive line. Defensive line. Pass rushers. That’s where the Eagles typically invest their highest draft capital. There have been exceptions, but they are the exception, not the rule.

How likely is it that the Eagles draft a safety in Round 1 of the NFL draft?

The selections of Quinyon Mitchell and Jihaad Campbell in back-to-back drafts raised eyebrows, and they partially did so for a very specific reason. Before selecting Campbell, the Eagles hadn’t taken a linebacker in Round 1 since Jerry Robinson in 1979. And let’s be honest, Nolan Smith doesn’t count here. He may be labeled an outside linebacker, but his job description says pass rusher. Few would argue with that.

Then there’s Mitchell. His selection in 2024 ended a drought that dated back to Lito Sheppard in 2002. That’s more than two decades without a first-round defensive back. Even now, Mitchell is just the fourth DB the Eagles have taken in Round 1 in franchise history.

So, where does that leave the idea of drafting a safety early? Historically, it doesn’t just feel unlikely. It feels almost off-brand. The Eagles simply haven’t valued the position that way, especially not in the first round. Still, just as past behaviors sometimes foreshadow future actions, one can argue that the best predictor of future behavior is present intention under current conditions.