Coming out of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles had two rookies who got everyone's excitement and attention: first-round pick Makai Lemon and second-round pick Eli Stowers.
Lemon and Stowers are the future of the Eagles' passing attack as the team focused more on offense in the draft. Three defensive players were picked, but all three waited until the seventh round to hear their names called.
One of those players is still being overlooked by the other two defensive rookies being talked about. There's a chance in 2026, though, that this one rookie defender could end up starting for Philly.
Cole Wisniewski is a guy to watch for the Eagles in 2026
Wisniewski was the first defender selected by the Eagles in the seventh round of the draft. He racked up 78 tackles, six pass deflections, two forced fumbles, one sack, and one fumble recovery in 14 games with the Texas Tech Red Raiders last year.
Many people are already comparing him to Reed Blankenship, who recently left the team in free agency to sign with the Houston Texans. Eagles fans might be able to see those traits come to play in 2026.
At the moment, Marcus Epps has the advantage at one of the starting safety positions, with 2025 second-round pick Andrew Mukuba having the other starting spot. Epps will have competition, though, with Michael Carter II and Wisniewski expected to be in the running.
Eagles fans would be surprised to see Wisniewski as one of the starters, as he has mostly been a developmental player who will play more on special teams in 2026. He's got play-making ability that can make it hard to ignore if he plays that way in preseason.
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It feels like a long shot for Wisniewski, but Blankenship was an undrafted rookie who started games in his first year in the NFL, so fans can't count out the possibility.
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