The Philadelphia Eagles’ starting safety room will look different this season. Reed Blankenship joined the Houston Texans, while the Eagles traded Sydney Brown to the Atlanta Falcons. Meanwhile, Marcus Epps and Andrew Mukuba, who is recovering from a season-ending fractured fibula, are the two leading candidates to start.
In the 2026 NFL Draft, the Eagles also added another competitor to the mix.
The Philadelphia Eagles drafted a former FCS standout
New York Jets, Dante Moore, NFL
Jan 1, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) carries the ball as Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive back Cole Wisniewski (5) defends during the second half of the 2025 Orange Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
The Eagles drafted former North Dakota State and Texas Tech safety Cole Wisniewski 244th overall in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft. After beginning his college football career with the Bison from 2020 to 2023 and missing all of 2024 due to a foot injury, he transferred to the Red Raiders for the 2025 season. Wisniewski enjoyed a strong senior campaign, totaling 78 tackles, six tackles for loss, one sack, six pass breakups, and two forced fumbles across 14 games, earning All-Big 12 Honorable Mention.
The Eagles’ 7th-round pick could see starting snaps as a rookie
Texas Tech Red Raiders, Cole Wisniewski
Nov 15, 2025; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach Joey McGuire and wife Debbie celebrate senior day with Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive safety Cole Wisniewski (5) before the game against the Central Florida Knights at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images
In an NFL.com article, Chad Reuter identified 16 Day 3 draft picks who could compete for starter snaps as rookies. In the 12th slot, he named Cole Wisniewski, pointing to how Reed Blankenship went undrafted before earning a starting spot for Philadelphia and how the rookie could follow a similar path. He also noted that Wisniewski could find ample opportunities to start, as he plays like a linebacker in the box and is effective in zone coverage.
“Former Eagles S Reed Blankenship went undrafted out of Middle Tennessee State before earning a starting spot for Philadelphia and a lucrative free-agent contract from the Texans this offseason. The Eagles could have a similar find in Wisniewski, who plays like a linebacker in the box and is a big hitter in zone coverage,” Reuter said.
“He could find ample opportunities to start with journeyman Marcus Epps and second-year player Andrew Mukuba, who still needs to prove he can stay healthy, ahead of him on the depth chart.”