Time for Eagles Safety Reed Blankenship to Take the Next Step

With starting safeties C. J. Gardner-Johnson and Marcus Epps slated to hit NFL Free Agency on March 15, the Philadelphia Eagles have some big shoes to fill. Depending on the market, the Birds may be able to re-sign Epps, but Gardner-Johnson is unlikely to return. There are some other intriguing safeties the Eagles could pursue in free agency, including Rodney McLeod (Colts) and Devin McCourty (Patriots). Also, this year’s NFL Draft is filled with talented defensive backs. All of that aside, it’s time for Reed Blankenship to take the next step.

Blankenship’s story is pretty amazing. He wasn’t invited to the Combine. He went undrafted in last year’s draft. Out of the 12 undrafted free agents the Eagles signed, his guaranteed money was second to last at just $55,000.

Blankenship was a long shot to make the roster, but he made it through OTAs and then training camp and then preseason, impressing his coaches along the way. Only 3 of the 12 undrafted free agents the Eagles signed made the roster: Josh Sills (OG), Josh Jobe (CB) and, you guessed it, Reed Blankenship (S). Britain Covey (WR) was elevated to the active roster in Week 3 of the 2022 season and served as the Birds primary punt returner.

Early on, Blankenship was a non-factor. He only played 2 defensive snaps until C. J. Gardner-Johnson got injured in Week 12 against the Packers. He picked off Aaron Rodgers that game. During Gardner-Johnson’s 6-week absence, Blankenship racked up 31 tackles and 1 interception. Even when Gardner-Johnson returned for the final game of the season, Blankenship remained a vital contributor on defense. He picked up another 11 tackles and a forced fumble/recovery in the post-season. Needless to say, he played the position well.

Now with the Philadelphia Eagles’ two starting safeties potentially leaving, it’s time for Reed Blankenship to continue to defy the odds. It’s time for him to level-up and take the necessary steps to solidify his role as starter on this team. The Eagles need reliable, consistent, play-makers at the safety position if they want to make it back to the Super Bowl. Hopefully, Blankenship = Championship.