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CBS Sports’s Zachary Peerless named former Dallas Cowboys safety Donovan Wilson a fit for the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Philadelphia Eagles lost multiple safeties this offseason, including Reed Blankenship. The Eagles have added a couple veteran safeties to fill the gap, but CBS Sports’s Jordan Pereles still sees the position as the team’s biggest need.
“The Eagles lost linebacker Nakobe Dean, edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and safety Reed Blankenship in free agency,” wrote Pereles. “Blankenship’s departure leaves the most gaping hole.”
To fill the void, the CBS analyst sees a former starter from the Dallas Cowboys as a fit — Donovan Wilson.
A former sixth-round pick, Wilson started 75 games for the Cowboys over seven seasons. He was a full-time starter in Dallas over the past four campaigns.
In 2025, Wilson registered 71 combined tackles, including three tackles for loss, five pass defenses and two interceptions in 15 starts.
Could the Eagles Target Ex-Cowboys Starter Donovan Wilson?
Wilson isn’t as highly regarded around the league as Eagles departed safety Blankenship. In 2023, Blankenship became a full-time starter in Philadelphia, and he was a key cog for the Eagles defense during their 2024 Super Bowl run.
But last season, Blankenship severely struggled in coverage according to the Pro Football Focus player grades. He had just four pass defenses and one interception during 2025. In 2024, Blankenship posted six pass defenses with four picks.
Wilson has similar pass coverage deficiencies. Like Blankenship, though, Wilson is strong against the run.
At PFF, the Cowboys safety earned a 73.9 grade versus the run last season. Blankenship scored a 75.3 PFF grade in run defense.
If the Eagles want to improve in pass defense, then Wilson isn’t the right safety fit. But should the team see a similar type of safety as a fit with the plan of looking at the draft for pass defense improvements, then Wilson is an option.
In 98 games with the Cowboys, Wilson has registered 444 combine tackles, including 20 for loss. He also has posted 18 quarterback hits, 19 pass defenses, 13 sacks, nine forced fumbles and eight interceptions.
Last season, Blankenship had 83 combined tackles with his four pass defenses and an interception. In 56 games with the Eagles, Blankenship recorded 308 combined tackles, 23 pass defenses and nine interceptions.
Other Safety Options for Eagles
In his article Monday, Pereles named a free agency and draft fit for every team’s biggest need. In the draft, Pereles sees Oregon defensive back Dillon Thieneman as a fit for the Eagles.
The CBS analyst argued Philadelphia could pair the Oregon rookie with someone such as Wilson.
“Thieneman showcased terrific speed and versatility. The Eagles could draft him — or another safety — early and still add someone at the position in free agency, too,” wrote Pereles.
Other analysts, though, see bigger-named safeties as a potential target for the Eagles.
Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton argued Tuesday the Eagles should inquire about a trade for Atlanta Falcons second-team All-Pro safety Jessie Bates III.
The Eagles actually just made a safety trade with the Falcons. Philadelphia sent veteran Sydney Brown to Atlanta in a draft pick exchange on March 20.
It would be kind of odd to see the same two teams make another trade involving the same position. But Bates would be a terrific add for the Eagles defense.
Bates has earned three second-team All-Pro nominations in his career. Last season, he posted 98 combined tackles, six pass defenses and three interceptions.
After trading Brown, the Eagles signed safeties Marcus Epps and J.T. Gray to 1-year contracts. Epps will provide depth while Gray’s likely focus will be special teams.
That leaves room for the Eagles to make another addition, maybe even two, at safety.
Dave Holcomb is a sports reporter covering the NFL and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions. Originally from Pittsburgh, Holcomb has covered college and professional sports for outlets including FanSided, Rotowire and Yardbarker. More about Dave Holcomb
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