The Philadelphia Eagles are optimistic about their seventh-round draft pick, who may help fill the safety gap left by Reed Blankenship's departure. Despite having opportunities to select top safety prospects, the Eagles chose other positions in the draft.
Key points
Eagles have a hole at safety after Reed Blankenship's departure
Seventh-round pick may help fill the safety void
Eagles passed on top safety prospects in the draft
They selected a wide receiver and a tight end instead
Current safety options include Andrew Mukuba and veterans
Many Philadelphia Eagles fans left the 2026 NFL draft concerned about a major hole on the roster. But Howie Roseman has faith that a seventh-round pick could help fill the void.
Philadelphia entered the draft with an obvious need at safety. Longtime starter and Super Bowl champion Reed Blankenship departed in free agency, leaving the Eagles with second-year Andrew Mukuba and a host of uninspiring veterans on one-year deals.
Roseman had chances to take an immediate game-changer in the secondary in the draft.
Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman was available for the Eagles in the first round. They passed and went with USC wide receiver Makai Lemon. Toledo’s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, a first-round talent, was available at No. 54. Instead, they took Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers.
Some Eagles fans were freaking out a bit on social media around the second-round decision. McNeil-Warren, the No. 21 player in the class per ESPN, was sitting right there. But Roseman opted for another high-upside play on offense and waited to address the safety position.
The Eagles team total wins line is set at 10.5 games onDraftKings
Q&A
Who is the Eagles' seventh-round pick compared to a Super Bowl champion?
The Eagles' seventh-round pick is being compared to Reed Blankenship, a former starter and Super Bowl champion.
Why did the Eagles pass on top safety prospects in the draft?
The Eagles opted to address other positions, selecting a wide receiver and a tight end instead of prioritizing safety.
What positions did the Eagles draft in the 2026 NFL draft?
The Eagles drafted a wide receiver, Makai Lemon, in the first round and a tight end, Eli Stowers, in the second round.
What is the current safety situation for the Eagles after the draft?
The Eagles currently have second-year player Andrew Mukuba and several veterans on one-year deals after Reed Blankenship's departure.
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And he waited. And he waited, all the way until the seventh round.
That’s when the Eagles drafted Texas Tech safety Cole Wisniewski with the No. 244 pick — a selection they received in the Jonathan Greenard trade with the Minnesota Vikings.
Texas Tech Football
Texas Tech Football
Not many people knew who Wisniewski was. That’s typically the case with seventh-round picks.
But there’s reason to believe Wisniewski can not only make the 53-man roster, but follow a similar path to Blankenship and emerge as a staple in the secondary.
Wisniewski’s journey to Philadelphia wasn’t straightforward. He was a six-year college player, just like Blankenship.
Wisniewski spent five years at North Dakota State before transferring to Texas Tech. He was an FCS All-American and led the division with eight interceptions in 2023. Then, he missed the 2024 campaign with a foot injury before transferring to Texas Tech.
Wisniewski was a key cog in Texas Tech’s run to a Big 12 title and the College Football Playoff. On a defense with stars like David Bailey, Romello Height, Jacob Rodriguez and Lee Hunter, Wisniewski was a glue guy, starting 14 games and making 78 tackles.
While Wisniewski wasn’t making highlight reel plays, he showed off his instincts, ball skills and physicality — all of which Roseman pointed out on Saturday night.
“There’s some reminder of a guy we won the Super Bowl with,” Roseman said of Wisniewski, comparing him to Blankenship. “Those are tough shoes to fill. But when you watch him, you saw some of the things you liked with Reed.”
Philadelphia Eagles safety Reed Blankenship
Philadelphia Eagles safety Reed Blankenship
Roseman said it’ll be an “unbelievable outcome” if Wisniewski has the career that Blankenship, an undrafted free agent out of Middle Tennessee State, had in Philadelphia.
Blankenship earned a roster spot via special teams in 2022. He later emerged as a team captain and a 51-game starter from 2023-25, playoffs included. In that span, Blankenship recorded 307 tackles, 21 passes defended and four forced fumbles.
Roseman acknowledged that they “miss” Blankenship, who signed a three-year, $24.5 million contract with the Houston Texans — a deal the Eagles could have seemingly matched.
But Roseman projected confidence around the safety position. Mukuba, the 2025 second-round pick, is expected to take another step. Marcus Epps and Michael Carter II are internal options to start opposite him. There’s still time to make a trade or another addition, as well.
But Roseman and the Eagles liked what they saw in Wisniewski. And everyone will be watching to see if he can beat the seventh-round odds and do what Blankenship did.
