Despite all of their losses during the 2025 offseason, the Philadelphia Eagles still have one of the most talented defenses in the league.
The organization has All-Pro or Pro Bowl talent at each level of the defense. From Jalen Carter to Zack Baun to Quinyon Mitchell, the Eagles are loaded with Vic Fangio leading the way as play-caller.
There's one player on the Eagles' defense that remains underrated, though. Despite this, he's in line for his best season yet.
Former undrafted free agent safety Reed Blankenship has gone from a plucky rookie cracking the starting lineup occasionally to an every-down starter for one of the best defensive units in the game.
The team is relying on him more than ever as he enters a contract year.
The 26-year-old is never going to be considered one of the best players at his position. As an undrafted free agent from Middle Tennessee State, he doesn't have the speed or cover ability that others like Budda Baker or Kyle Hamilton are known for.
If the Eagles are going to repeat as Super Bowl champions, though, Blankenship will need to take center stage as both a leader and star at safety. As things stand now, the Eagles believe he is ready.
"He quarterbacks the secondary, leads the communication between them and the linebackers," Fangio said during the 2024 season. "So, he’s very, very valuable.”
If Blankenship has been underrated to start his career? Well, that may not be his status for long.