What a hit it was when the Philadelphia Eagles lost Reed Blankenship in free agency, even though it was expected.
The Eagles decided not to address the position in the first two days of the 2026 NFL Draft, leaving Blankenship's replacement to be either Marcus Epps or Michael Carter II. It may take until the 2027 NFL Draft for Philly to find Blankenship's long-term replacement, as ESPN draft expert Jordan Reid predicts the Eagles will select Georgia safety KJ Bolden with the 26th overall pick.
"Bolden is an instinctive and intelligent safety, which is why he's tasked with being the communicator on the back end of Georgia's defense. Despite his slight frame (6-foot, 185 pounds), Bolden isn't afraid to run the alley and crash down in run support. He's able to play multiple secondary spots and has good ball skills. The Eagles lost Reed Blankenship in free agency and didn't pick a safety until Round 7 last week, so Bolden could be a nice fit."
Eagles select KJ Bolden with their first round selection in 2027 mock draft
Last season with the Bulldogs, Bolden racked up 76 tackles, five pass deflections, two interceptions, and one fumble recovery. He was selected as a Second-team All-SEC member in 2025.
For one, the Georgia tie is hard to ignore. Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has a ton of respect for the Bulldogs' football program and the work the defense does, as he has selected multiple former Georgia defenders, including Jordan Davis, Jalen Carter, and Nolan Smith Jr.
The Eagles would most likely not retain Epps or Carter next offseason unless one of the two has a Pro Bowl-caliber season. Even then, Roseman would most likely elect not to sign them, as he would rather take the cheaper option with Bolden in the draft.
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Bolden looks like a playmaker who has some room for improvement going into his junior year. His play also screams Eagles if anyone has even seen it, so he could be on the Eagles' radar in 2027.
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