Story by
Eagles’ undrafted pipeline has produced two of the NFL’s best players
- Story by
- Eagles’ undrafted pipeline has produced two of the NFL’s best players
Eagles’ undrafted pipeline has produced two of the NFL’s best players
The NFL Draft may last only seven rounds, but championship rosters are rarely built through the draft alone. Every year, hundreds of players leave draft weekend without hearing their names called. Most never make an active roster. Fewer still develop into long-term starters. The organizations that consistently compete for championships understand there's value to be found after the draft ends.
The Philadelphia Eagles have made a habit of proving that. Pro Football Focus recently reminded us of such.
Advertisement
PFF's Daire Carragher released the platform's All-Undrafted Team entering the 2026 season, recognizing the NFL's best players who began their professional careers as undrafted free agents. Two former Eagles earned spots on the roster: linebacker Alex Singleton and safety Reed Blankenship.
Two different paths for two Eagles with one common theme
Singleton's NFL journey has always been rooted in perseverance. After entering the league undrafted, he steadily developed into one of football's most dependable run defenders.
According to PFF, Singleton ranks eighth in run-defense grade among qualifying linebackers since 2022, continuing to play some of the best football of his career well into his 30s. Blankenship's path followed a different timeline but reached a similar destination.
Advertisement
The former Middle Tennessee standout became one of Philadelphia's most successful undrafted signings in recent memory, eventually earning a full-time starting role in the Eagles' secondary. PFF noted that Blankenship logged nearly 1,000 more defensive snaps than any other undrafted safety over the past four seasons, reflecting the trust he earned from multiple coaching staffs. While his 2025 season represented a step backward statistically, Houston still rewarded him with a lucrative free-agent contract, believing a rebound is well within reach.
The Philadelphia Eagles continue finding value where others don't
Neither Singleton nor Blankenship became stars because of draft pedigree. They earned every opportunity through development, preparation, and consistent performance, traits the Eagles have long valued when constructing their roster.
Philadelphia's front office has repeatedly demonstrated that talent evaluation doesn't end when the final draft pick is announced. Whether it's uncovering contributors through undrafted free agency or developing overlooked prospects into dependable starters, the organization continues finding value in places other teams often overlook.
Advertisement
Singleton and Blankenship are simply the latest reminders that some of the NFL's best success stories never begin with hearing their names called on draft weekend.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Eagles' undrafted pipeline has produced two of the NFL's best players
