When the Eagles drafted safety Cole Wisniewski from North Dakota State, they got more than just an athletic prospect with size and range. They got a player whose entire football identity is built around learning, listening, and proving people right.
Learning from the Master
Wisniewski highlighted his excitement about learning from defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, the man widely credited as the architect of the two-high safety system that has redefined NFL defenses over the past decade.
"It's an honor to learn from someone like that," Wisniewski said at rookie minicamp.
That is not boilerplate. Fangio's defense, which holds the league's highest tier of efficiency in stopping explosive plays, runs through its safeties. The two-deep alignment forces quarterbacks to throw underneath, taking away the shot plays that fuel modern offenses. The safeties have to be smart enough to disguise coverages, athletic enough to break on routes, and physical enough to be the last line of defense in the run game. It is one of the most demanding positions in football, and Fangio teaches it as well as anyone in the sport.
The Linebacker Background Helps
What sets Wisniewski apart is his hybrid college experience. He played multiple positions at North Dakota State, including significant snaps closer to the line of scrimmage. That linebacker-ish profile is exactly what Fangio's defense wants from a safety. Run support is non-negotiable. So is the ability to drop into the box and play the deep middle in the same possession.
Wisniewski's tackling tape from NDSU shows the kind of physicality that translates to NFL run support. His instincts in zone coverage suggest he can handle the mental side of Fangio's disguise game. He is not the fastest player in the room, but he has the range to play single-high and the reliability to play in the box.
The Safety Room
The Eagles' 2026 safety depth chart is interesting:
- Marcus Epps: The Sirianni-era survivor (returnee) bringing veteran leadership to the room.
- Andrew Mukuba: The 2025 second-round pick, now entering his Year 2 leap.
- Cole Wisniewski: The rookie with positional versatility and a development arc.
That is a young, talented room with no clear lock at the second starting spot. Mukuba has the draft pedigree. Epps has the experience. Wisniewski has the upside. Fangio has historically rewarded the most consistent practitioner with the snaps, regardless of pedigree. OTAs and training camp will sort it out.
The NDSU Pipeline
North Dakota State has produced several notable NFL players in recent years, the most famous being Carson Wentz, the 2016 NFL Draft No. 2 overall pick and a former Eagles franchise quarterback. The Bison program is known for producing physical, smart, well-coached players who outperform their FCS profile in the NFL. Wisniewski continues that tradition.
The Bottom Line
Rookies in Fangio's defense have a simple job: learn fast, play hard, do not bust assignments. Wisniewski's tape and his interviews both suggest he is going to do exactly that. He will not be a Week 1 starter, but if the linebacker-background, do-it-all profile holds up against NFL speed, the Eagles may have found another classic late-round defensive back find.
Howie Roseman has a long track record of doing exactly that. Wisniewski could be the next one.
