While the Philadelphia Eagles might have an elite defense on paper, there is a glaring question mark that still needs to be addressed — do they need to upgrade at safety?
While the Eagles haven’t made a big move yet to bring in a proven safety, they’re definitely interested in making a series of smaller ones to see if something sticks on famed defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s unit.
“The Philadelphia Eagles have signed Orlando Storm safety Jaylen Mahoney,” UFL/NFL reporter James Larsen wrote on his official X account. “Mahoney started in six straight games for Orlando, totaling 30 tackles, 5 defensive stops, and 2 pass breakups prior to a season-ending injury”
Jaylen Mahoney Made 49ers as Undrafted Free Agent
Mahoney played for the San Francisco 49ers in 2024 as an undrafted free agent rookie and spent 2025 on the New York Jets practice squad.
“The Eagles signed DB Jaylen Mahoney and RB Jordan Mims today, per the NFL’s transaction wire,” NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Dave Zangaro wrote on his official X account.
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Jaylen Mahoney Just Missed on Measurables
Mahoney starred at Vanderbilt but just missed on the measurables NFL teams look at with tweener prospects — he’s a tad too short and light to be a Day 3 pick at 5-foot-11 and 188 pounds and a tad too slow with a 4.54-second 40-yard dash.
In terms of the slim margins NFL teams look at — and how subjective the evaluation period is — in the case of Mahoney, were he 1 inch taller, 3 pounds heavier and ran his 40-yard dash in just .45 seconds faster, he’s probably getting drafted
“More than anything else, the thing that pops off the screen when scouting Mahoney is how elite he is at getting downhill and making plays in space,” The Vanderbilt Hustler’s Anish Mago wrote in his 2024 pre-draft evaluation. “Despite starting most plays in the defensive backfield, Mahoney was one of Vanderbilt’s best tacklers every season; he’s great at both shedding blocks and attacking ball carriers in space. A career-high 16 tackles against Georgia this past season showed very clearly the type of defensive playmaker Mahoney can be. Regardless of his size measurements, Mahoney will bring an extra layer of physicality to whatever roster he lands on.”
Philadelphia Eagles Sign ‘Elite’ Former 49ers Safety