Philadelphia, PA – May 16, 2025 – The Philadelphia Eagles boast a roster brimming with talent, but not every standout gets the recognition they deserve. As the defending Super Bowl LIX champions gear up for another promising season, one player is quietly making waves. Pro Football Focus’ Jonathon Macri recently compiled a list of the "most underrated player" on each NFL roster, and for the Eagles, that honor goes to 26-year-old safety Reed Blankenship, who has amassed an impressive 8 interceptions in his young career.
"Kansas City Chiefs: S Reed Blankenship," Macri wrote. "Blankenship has carved out a critical role in Vic Fangio’s defense, excelling as a deep safety with a knack for creating turnovers. Since 2022, he’s played 40 games, starting 34, and logged an 87.2 PFF coverage grade, ranking eighth among 129 qualifying safeties."
Macri highlighted Blankenship’s ball-hawking ability, noting his 8 career interceptions, including 4 in 2024, which tied for 10th in the NFL that year. Alongside C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s 6 picks, the duo led the NFC East with 10 interceptions combined. In 2024, Blankenship also recorded 78 tackles, 6 pass deflections, and 1 fumble recovery, proving his all-around impact despite a 105.6 passer rating when targeted.
Blankenship, an undrafted free agent from 2022, has flown under the radar despite his contributions. Fans on X are taking notice, with one user posting, “Blankenship’s a steal—time to pay him!” As he enters the final year of his rookie deal at $3.575 million, calls are growing for GM Howie Roseman to extend the safety before he hits free agency in 2026.
The Eagles are set to face the Dallas Cowboys in their 2025 season opener, with Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown leading the offense. But with Jalen Carter and Quinyon Mitchell anchoring the defense alongside Blankenship, the secondary looks poised for another dominant year. As the Philly Special Era continues to shine, Blankenship’s underrated presence could be the key to a repeat Super Bowl LX run.
