Thanks to a breakout season from Jalen Hurts, the Philadelphia Eagles became one of the most pleasant surprises of the 2022 season. They finished with a franchise-record 14 wins and made it all the way to Super Bowl LVII. Unfortunately for them, MVP Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs overcame a 10-point deficit at halftime to defeat the Birds in the Super Bowl.

While the title was just a victory away, things got way more complicated. The team lost many important players in free agency, including defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (San Francisco 49ers) and Miles Sanders (Carolina Panthers). Philadelphia's latest loss was C.J. Gardner-Johnson signing a one-year, $8 million deal with the Detroit Lions.

Acquired from the New Orleans Saints just less than two weeks before the 2022 season opener, the safety became a key part of the Eagles' defense. He ended up recording a career-best 67 tackles, 61 solo and five tackles for loss. He also had two quarterback hits and one sack. Most importantly, he c0-led the league with six interceptions.

Without him, the Birds have some big shoes to fill. Because of that, they should go after some players to address his departure in the offseason. Since they also lost starter Marcus Epps, a new safety should be one of their priorities in the next few weeks.

With that being said, here are the three best Philadelphia Eagles replacements for C.J. Gardner-Johnson after he signed with the Detroit Lions.

3. Taylor Rapp

One safety that is still available on the market is Taylor Rapp. He played an important role in the Los Angeles Rams' Super Bowl campaign, starting in all 17 games in the regular season.

In 2022, he also started in all 16 games he appeared in. He ended up recording 92 tackles with 58 being solo, two tackles for loss and one quarterback hit. He also had six pass breakups and two interceptions for a total of 18 yards.

While the Rams had a down season following their Super Bowl victory, Rapp still had solid numbers. In 2022, he had an 82.3 run defense grade and a 72.9 coverage grade, according to Pro Football Focus.

At the age of 25, Rapp should still have some solid years left in the NFL, which can be very helpful for the Eagles. With so many young key players such as Hurts and DeVonta Smith, Rapp could be one of the young leaders on the defensive end.

Since he has yet to sign with a franchise despite nearly a week of free agency, the Birds could potentially sign him to a team-friendly deal. They could also use the fact that they nearly won the Lombardi Trophy to attract him to sign with the organization.

2. John Johnson III

Another option for the Eagles is John Johnson III. The safety is still a free agent after spending the past two seasons with the Cleveland Browns, where he started 32 games in that span.

In 2022, he registered 101 tackles with 70 being solo and four tackles for loss. He also had two quarterback hits and 0.5 sacks. Most importantly, he recorded an interception, forced two fumbles and recovered two as well.

He is considered one of the best free agents still available, including the best safety by many. With his extended experience as a starter, Johnson could be a worthy replacement for Gardner-Johnson.

Johnson is 27 years old, but although he is slightly older than Gardner-Johnson and Rapp, he could still be a good option for Philadelphia. If the front office decides to stay competitive despite the departures, Johnson could be a good solution to fill Gardner-Johnson's role.

1. A rookie from the 2023 NFL Draft class

Finally, perhaps a cheaper solution for the Eagles is to select a safety in the 2023 NFL Draft. The Birds have two first-round picks, including the No. 10 selection. This means that they could go after a rookie to replace Gardner-Johnson, yet still bring in one of the best players in the 2023 class.

One player who the Eagles should consider is Brian Branch out of Alabama. In the 2022 season, he totaled 90 tackles (58 being solo), seven pass breakups and 3.0 sacks. He also had two interceptions and two punt returns, including one for a touchdown. For his performances, Branch earned a First-Team All-American nod.

He is projected to be available around the middle of the first round, so the Eagles could either select him at No. 10 or even trade down to get some extra assets.

Another option that could be available at No. 30, the team's second first-round pick, is Antonio Johnson from Texas A&M. He was a First-Team All-SEC player after having 71 tackles and forcing three fumbles.

While having a rookie replace Gardner-Johnson might be a risk, it would allow the Eagles to focus on other positions in free agency. Additionally, they could gain some extra assets by possibly trading down in the NFL Draft while still getting a promising young safety.