Eagles rookie Cole Wisniewski has one obvious hurdle to overcome

Every Philadelphia Eagles fan loves the idea of a tough, instinctive defensive back who flies downhill, attacks ball carriers and treats the line of scrimmage like a personal playground. That’s why seventh-round rookie Cole Wisniewski is already earning comparisons to former Eagles safety Reed Blankenship.

There’s something undeniably appealing about defensive backs who play with linebacker mentalities. Philadelphia fans gravitate toward those types almost immediately. Wisniewski fits that mold perfectly. He plays physically, trusts his instincts, and looks completely comfortable operating near the box where collisions happen quickly and often. The issue is obvious, however. The NFL eventually forces safeties to cover.

Cole Wisniewski's strengths jump off the screen

To his credit, Wisniewski does several things extremely well. He attacks downhill aggressively, diagnoses running plays quickly, and brings a level of physicality that defensive coordinators love on early downs. In many ways, he feels less like a traditional deep safety and more like a modern hybrid defender trapped inside a safety's body.

That type of player absolutely has value in today's NFL. The Eagles have consistently prioritized defensive versatility, and Wisniewski's willingness to operate near the line of scrimmage could make him immediately useful in rotational packages, special teams, and certain run-heavy matchups. There's also legitimate production behind the intrigue.

During his final collegiate season, Wisniewski piled up tackles while consistently finding ways to impact games physically. Players with his mentality usually find a role somewhere because effort and toughness translate well to professional football. Coverage remains the defining question. Unfortunately, there's a reason Wisniewski lasted until the seventh round.