The Reed Option

[time2rock]

The Reed Option

Posted: April 1st, 2024 | Author: Tommy Lawlor

For the Eagles defense to get better, an infusion of talent was needed. The team added Bryce Huff, Zach Baun, Devin White, Oren Burks, CJGJ and Tyler Hall. That’s a mixture of starters and role players. This can’t all be about new guys, though. The defense also needs returning players to play better in 2024.

Arguably the key player for that is Reed Blankenship. He started four games as a rookie and showed a lot of promise, helping the Eagles reach the Super Bowl. Blankenship started 15 games last year, leading the team in tackles (113) and INTs (3). There were times when he looked very good. But there were also more than a few plays that he would like to have back, as Nick Sirianni likes to say.

Blankenship is a work in progress. Safety is a position where it can take a few years to get going. You need a good knowledge of what the offense is trying to do. You need to know your scheme and what all the guys in the back seven are doing. Then just go execute at a high level. Sounds easy, right?

I think Blankenship getting a new position coach and new defensive coordinator will help. His mistakes were more mental than physical. Blankenship is a good tackler. He can hit and is a physical player. He has good ball skills and has shown the ability to jump routes.

The Eagles certainly believe in him.

This basically eliminates the RFA season. It gives Blankenship some money and a sense of security. The Eagles will see how Blankenship plays over the next year or two and decide if he’s a long term solution or is better suited as a third safety. I think he’ll end up being a long term starter, but he does need to play better.

Safety could go from a weak spot to a strength this year. If Blankenship improves and CJGJ plays as expected, that’s a good duo. Sydney Brown would be a terrific #3 safety, but he’s injured and will miss half the season, give or take. That leaves Tristin McCollum and Mekhi Garner as the other backups. Garner has size, speed and athleticism. He’s still learning the position and only played in three games last year.

The Eagles have not spent a lot of time on safeties in the pre-draft process. I don’t think they are targeting anyone who would be an early pick. They would probably like to add someone on Day 3 or as a priority UDFA. At this point, they are looking for depth, not a starter.

*****

The Eagles are looking at a lot of CBs. They will take one. They might use pick 22 on a corner. They are looking at guys with different values to make sure there is someone they like in different rounds.

There are a lot of CBs I like. There should be someone left at 22 if they want to go for one that early.

My favorite non-1st rounder is Max Melton from Rutgers. I think he’s the kind of scrappy, competitive player the Eagles need in their secondary.

http://igglesblitz.com/2024/04/the-reed-option/

[UK_EaglesFan89]

Makes sense for them to sign Blankenship up for another year. Gives him a bit of money and security and means we don’t need to worry about it right now.

[PoconoDon]

He's still developing as a player. We'll see what this year brings for him. Hopefully, he takes a leap forward.