There is no dollar value that can be placed on Brian Dawkins' importance to the Eagles.

Brian Dawkins is the first thing that you think of when considering the Eagles and their Safety position.  Although he turned 35 in October, last year’s strong performance leads me to believe he still has football to play and a championship to win.  The fact that upon posting Dawkins has yet to re-sign is surprising and a little unnerving, but I remain confident B. Dawk will be terrorizing opposing offenses for the Eagles in the ’09 season.

Outside of Weapon X, if it weren’t for the development of Quintin Mikell the Eagles would be in serious need of a Safety.  For years the fans have been thinking that the Eagles would draft an heir-apparent to Dawkins, but that has yet to happen.  I’m not ready to say Quintin Demps can’t play Safety in the NFL, but that TD he gave up to Larry Fitzgerald in the NFL Championship game sure doesn’t help his case.

There are quite a few starter quality Safeties available in the 2009 Free Agent market, but I’m not sure the Eagles are going to commit to a player of that level so that they can sit on the bench behind Dawkins and Mikell.  The most rational option would be to draft a young, strong and fast safety who can learn from Dawkins for a year or two before his career fades to black.

Click here to check out all the Safeties available in NFL Free Agency.