The Philadelphia Eagles have a lot of areas to fix as they look toward the 2026 season but one of the biggest is at the safety position. ESPN’s Aaron Schatz addressed the need in an article that was released on Thursday morning, and it’s clear there are plenty of opportunities even with 2025 second-round draft pick Andrew Mukuba ascending to the starting lineup.
“[Mukuba] had an excellent rookie season at one safety position, but the Eagles have questions at the other with Reed Blankenship gone,” Schatz wrote. “The starter penciled in is Marcus Epps, who started four games last season after returning to the Eagles following two seasons with Las Vegas. If Epps were hurt, the Eagles might have to use a converted cornerback such as Michael Carter II or Jonathan Jones, or perhaps J.T. Gray. Gray is a former All-Pro special teams gunner, but he didn’t play a defensive snap in the 2025 season.”
One name that Schatz didn’t mention was seventh-round pick Cole Wisniewski. The Texas Tech standout is coming off a strong season with the Red Raiders and with the Eagles’ depth chart in disarray, he may have the talent to make a quick ascension to the starting lineup.
Eagles seventh-round safety Cole Wisniewski can make immediate impact
Wisniewski was an under-the-radar prospect thanks to his time spent at North Dakota State. Although the Bison played in the shadow, Wisniewski was a bright spot with an FCS-leading eight interceptions during the 2023 season. He also began his career as a linebacker, finishing his career at NDSU with 195 tackles and 15 pass deflections.
Although his FCS career ended with a foot injury that wiped out his entire 2024 season, he transferred to join the Red Raiders and became a piece of one of the most dominant defenses in college football. With 78 total tackles, six tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and a sack, Wisniewski put himself on the NFL radar and landed a solid opportunity with the Eagles.
As Schatz mentioned, however, there isn’t much on the depth chart and if the Eagles don’t want to rely on converted corners, Wisniewski is a solid choice. But he could also battle some other elements to claim a starting job.
Epps isn’t a flashy player, but he is a dependable one. A seven-year veteran who has bounced around from the Minnesota Vikings, the Raiders and Eagles throughout his career, Epps stepped in after Mukuba suffered a broken ankle late last season and finished with 21 tackles including one for loss over 12 total games (four starts).
Wisniewski could also battle defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s distaste for starting rookies. When Mukuba showed flashes last year, Fangio mentioned an old adage from former Minnesota Vikings head coach and Hall of Famer Bud Grant that said a team loses a game for each rookie that is starting. With Epps’s familiarity and experience, it could be a similar climb for Wisniewski, but it’s not impossible.
Mukuba eventually won Fangio over and Wisniewski has the talent to do the same. Although he’s already 24 years old, he could be mature enough to make an early impact and take advantage of the opportunity in front of him.
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