NFL Draft 2026 Scouting Report for Texas Tech S Cole Wisniewski

Cole Wisniewski's experience as a linebacker has made him a reliable safety valve and run-stopper on the back end. He's a high-effort playmaker who brings a high roster floor as a special-teams contributor.

The former 2-star recruit and North Dakota State Transfer made the switch to safety prior to his 2023 season and broke out in a big way with eight interceptions and 13 passes defensed. The ball production didn't follow him to Texas Tech after he missed the 2024 season with a foot injury, but he was a big part of the back end of that great defense in 2025.

Dan has covered the Kansas City Chiefs and the NFL Draft since 2019 while contributing for RGR Football. Most recently, he spent the 2025 draft cycle at The Draft Network and is entering his first season in our scouting department.

Where He Wins

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— Wisniewski is a responsibility-sound defender whose linebacker instincts show up in the run game and take him to the ball carrier.

— At his best, moving downhill where he can diagnose, trigger, and make tackles. He's a reliable open-field tackler with great size and length.

— His instincts are better as a run defender, but he plays with good depth and play identification/route recognition in zone.

Areas of Improvement

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— Wisniewski struggles in man coverage, where he gets flat-footed from depth and stacked vertically. He gets too grabby when beaten.

— He lacks recovery speed to make up ground when beaten, and that inhibits his range from a post alignment.

— Lacks lateral explosiveness to impact and close the gap in coverage.

— Coverage instincts are lacking at higher levels of competition and need time to develop.

Grade, Rank and Pro Comparison

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GRADE: 6.1 (Developmental Prospect - Fifth Round)

COMPARABLE GRADE: S Tysheem Johnson, Oregon (6.1 in 2025),  S Jaylen Key, Alabama (6.2 in 2024), S Jordan Howden, Minnesota (6.1 in 2023)

OVERALL RANK: 211

POSITION RANK: S19

PRO COMPARISON: Dan Sorenson

Measurables and Testing Data

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Height: 6'3"
Weight: 219
Hand Size: 9 ⅝"
Arm Length: 34 ½"
Wingspan: N/A

40-yard dash: 4.64
10-yard split: 1.59
Vertical: 36 ½"
Broad: 10'2"
3 cone: N/A
Shuttle: N/A
Bench: 20