Let’s get to the Philadelphia Eagles news and links …
Sixteen Day 3 NFL draft picks who could compete for starter snaps as rookies in 2026 – NFL.com 12) Cole Wisniewski. Former Eagles S Reed Blankenship went undrafted out of Middle Tennessee State before earning a starting spot for Philadelphia and a lucrative free-agent contract from the Texans this offseason. The Eagles could have a similar find in Wisniewski, who plays like a linebacker in the box and is a big hitter in zone coverage. He could find ample
opportunities to start with journeyman Marcus Epps and second-year player Andrew Mukuba, who still needs to prove he can stay healthy, ahead of him on the depth chart.
Eagles rookie jersey numbers for 2026 NFL Draft picks and UDFA signings – BGN
Cole Wisniewski getting No. 21 is a major stock up. That’s such a strong number for a seventh-round safety. Between this development and Howie Roseman comparing him to Reed Blankenship, the team seems optimistic about his ability to contribute sooner than later. There’s obviously a path to playing time with the safety position being unsettled.
Dominant Defense? – Iggles Blitz
Cole Wisniewski can push for a starting spot or be good depth. Check out this quote in regard to scheme fit in Fangio’s system. “He’s one of the godfathers of the two-high and shell system, and I’ve played in the shell system for my entire college career… Looking forward to the next level, I thought ‘Vic Fangio’s system would be a really good system for me’… and so being able to come to the source is awesome.” Thank you to Jimmy Bama for getting that quote. Doesn’t sound like a typical rookie. Wisniewski is older and that maturity shows. He will do everything he can to get on the field and find a role for this team.
In Roob’s Observations: What should we expect from Makai Lemon’s rookie year? – NBCSP
Two Coles are better than one I: When Cole Wisniewski left North Dakota State for Texas Tech after the 2024 season, he never dreamed he and NDSU quarterback Cole Payton would be teammates again in 16 months. But there they were having breakfast together Thursday morning at the South Philly hotel that’s housing the Eagles’ rookies during rookie camp. Wisniewski, a safety and an Eagles’ 7th-round pick, and Payton, a quarterback and the Eagles’ 5th-round pick, were teammates at North Dakota State from 2021 through 2024. Wisniewski transferred to Texas Tech for his final season of college football, but they find themselves together again as Eagles rookies. “Not only is he a great football player, but he’s a really good dude,” Payton said. “And so when he got picked in the seventh round, that was so awesome. It’s just going to be fun to have a familiar face around the building.” What kind of player is Wiz? “I mean, he’s relentless. He’s a competitor. His football IQ is off the charts. You watch him play so instinctual and a leader too. I think he’ll fit in really well here.” What about Payton? “Honestly as a player, I think you guys can go watch his film and see what he is,” Wisniewski said. “But he is an awesome human being. He’s one of the best humans you’ll ever meet. A caring dude, super disciplined, hard worker, but then obviously as an athlete, he’s a freak of nature. So I’m stoked to be a teammates with Cole again.” Pretty cool story.
NFL Power Rankings: Which team has the best 2027 Super Bowl chances after the draft? – SB Nation
Super Bowl Contenders. Finally, we reach the seven teams that legitimately feel like they could make it all the way to the Super Bowl in February. These were dominant teams from a year ago who got better this offseason, or are healing from key injuries and now return in 2026 to make a statement. Any combination of these teams in the Super Bowl wouldn’t be surprising to us, and it’s more than likely one of them will end up hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in the end. 7) Los Angeles Chargers, 6) San Francisco 49ers, 5) Philadelphia Eagles, 4) Denver Broncos, 3) Buffalo Bills, 2) Los Angeles Rams, 1) Seattle Seahawks.
New A.J. Brown Rumors on Patriots Trade Compensation, Eagles Relationship, Timeline & WR’s Wish List – B/R
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Sunday on SportsCenter things are unchanged because it’s far more advantageous for Philadelphia to trade Brown after June 1. The NFL insider described the three-time Pro Bowler’s relationship with the Eagles as “cordial,” with a trade expected to be finalized at some point this summer: “So, that is still the expectation leaguewide, and the Patriots can certainly do that deal, although a team source stressed to me there’s nothing binding right now; they could’ve drafted a receiver a week and a half ago if they really wanted to. So, they still have to create a deal and come up with compensation both parties are satisfactory to. But with A.J. Brown, really it’s a situation I would describe as cordial. He’s been in the building at some point this offseason but he’s not expected to be part of offseason workouts. The full expectation is he wants to be traded and New England is one of his preferred destinations. We’ll see if another team gets involved over the next month, but it still seems like all systems are go for a trade to happen at some point.”
A look at the Eagles’ rookie salary cap numbers, and the money needed to sign them – PhillyVoice
As you’ll see on OverTheCap’s Eagles page, there are a bunch of players at the back end of the top 51 who will count for a little over $1,000,000 against the cap this year. In other words, you would add up the cap numbers for Lemon, Stowers, and Bell, and subtract the cap numbers of the three players just above the 51-man demarcation. That number gives you the extra cap space the Eagles would need to sign their entire slate of draft picks. I’ll save you the work. It’s $3,375,790. The Eagles currently have a little under $30 million in cap space, according to the NFLPA public daily salary cap report, so, you know, it’s no surprise that they have gotten to work quickly, already signing six of them so far.
The 2026 NFL Draft was historic, for Africa and the league’s international programme – ESPN
251 – Uar Bernard: Nigeria (Philadelphia Eagles). Hailing from the village of Unguwa Uku in northern Nigeria, Bernard is one of the major success stories of the NFL’s talent-scouting efforts in Africa. Despite having no competitive experience, the former basketball player – currently preparing to play defensive tackle – was drafted after he measured 6-foot-4 and 306 pounds with just 6% body fat, ran a 4.63 40-yard dash, posted a 39-inch vertical jump and a broad jump of ten feet, ten inches. Special mention – Joshua Weru: Kenya (Philadelphia Eagles). A former rising Kenyan rugby star, Weru was signed as a free agent by the Eagles despite not being drafted. The defensive end is set to line up alongside Bernard as two underdogs from Africa look to take the league by storm in the same franchise that made Nigeria’s Moro Ojomo a Super Bowl champion at Super Bowl LIX.
Report: “Not the first time” the Steelers called a prospect early – PFT
One of the most unusual stories that emerged from the 2026 draft in Pittsburgh originated in Pittsburgh, where the Steelers called receiver Makai Lemon before the Steelers were on the clock. The Eagles traded up to take Lemon, one spot before the Steelers at No. 21. Mike Sando of The Athletic reports the move may not have been unprecedented. Multiple unnamed sources “suggested” that the Steelers have done it before. “They think they are tying up the phone lines so the other team moves on because they can’t get in touch with the player,” one unnamed executive told Sando. “All it takes is you to call the player, and if another team calls the agent and they’re like, ‘Oh, he’s on the phone with so-and-so,’ now they know who you’re picking.”
Seattle Seahawks sign veteran former Cleveland Browns tight end – Field Gulls
The Seattle Seahawks have added to their tight end room by signing a former unanimous All-American. On Wednesday, the team announced the acquisition of Harrison Bryant, who was most recently with the Houston Texans but is best known for his time with the Cleveland Browns. This will be Bryant’s fifth different team in four seasons. Bryant spent four years with the Browns from 2020 through 2023, catching 89 passes for 791 yards and 10 touchdowns over 65 regular season games. At the end of his rookie contract, he signed a free agent deal with the Las Vegas Raiders, playing in 13 games and catching just nine passes in a significantly reduced role. Last season, Bryant signed a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, only to be traded to the Texans prior to the regular season opener. After initially getting waived, he joined Houston’s active roster and played in 12 games, recording a couple of catches for seven yards. He also spent some time on injured reserve with a neck and shoulder injury.
Why Caleb Downs is the Cowboys multi-tool defender – Blogging The Boys
The Dallas Cowboys made a massive statement in the draft by using their highest pick on Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. It’s been just over a week, and it is already easy to see why they were so eager to get him in the building. He is not just a safety in the traditional sense. He is more like a defensive multi-tool that can be used several ways to help fix things. In a league where offenses are constantly trying to find a weak link, Downs is the guy who makes sure those links are made of reinforced steel. Whether he is lurking deep or mixing it up in the trenches, he brings high-level versatility that makes the entire group look smarter.
How Daronte Jones could improve the Commanders secondary in his first year as DC – Hogs Haven
Following last year’s disastrous defensive performance, Washington fans have been clamoring for a total overhaul. They were rewarded with a new defensive mind in Daronte Jones and upgrades to the front seven, including Odafe Oweh, Sonny Styles, Tim Settle, K’Lavon Chaisson, and Leo Chenal. Free agent additions to the secondary were not as plentiful, but Amik Robertson and Ahkello Witherspoon provide help for the cornerback room, as does Nick Cross for the safeties. Still, given the poor performance, the release of starting cornerback Marshon Lattimore, and the departure of Noah Igbinoghene and Jonathan Jones, more reinforcements were expected in the draft. To the surprise of many, Saturday evening arrived without a single addition to the secondary. Incensed, fans waited for an explanation from the Commanders administration and received it in Lance Newmark’s post-draft statement.
UDFA placekicker Dominic Zvada could ‘make some noise’ for NY Giants this summer – Big Blue View
There are always a few undrafted free agents who manage to earn spots on either the 53-man roster or practice. Which undrafted free agent is most likely to make his way to the New York Giants’ 53-man roster in 2026? When I put that question to Nick Baumgardner, draft analyst for The Athletic, during a recent ‘Valentine’s Views’ podcast, I received an interesting answer. Dominic Zvada, the former Michigan placekicker.
FINALLY! After decades of disappointment, Sixers win Game 7 vs. Celtics, overcome 3-1 deficit to win series – Liberty Ballers
Holy shit, guys, they did it! They actually did it! The Sixers pulled off the impossible, beating a Jayson Tatum-less Celtics 109-100 in Game 7 to come back down from a 3-1 deficit to win the series. Joel Embiid was able to break down Boston’s defense for much of the night again. He led all scorers with 34 points, 12 rebounds and six assists, shooting 12-of-26 from the floor. Tyrese Maxey got them over the finish line with 30 points, shooting 11-of-18 from the floor along with seven assists. Paul George overcame his illness to have 13 points, shooting 5-of-10 from the floor. VJ Edgecombe had 23 shooting 8-of-17 from the floor with six boards and four assists in his first career Game 7. Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 33. [BLG Note: I can’t believe the Sixers won this series!]
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