nfl

Cardinals Free Agency Tracker: S Reed Blankenship

LANDOVER, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 20: Reed Blankenship #32 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts as he runs off the field following an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium on December 20, 2025 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) | Getty Images

There is a saying in the NFL: You can never have too many great defensive backs.

The safety position of the Arizona Cardinals has been a defensive strength. However, part of the tandem is now in free agency. Budda Baker went to another Pro Bowl this year, while Jalen Thompson has gone to the free agent list.

Will GM Monti Ossenfort re-sign him before March 9? If so, that solves a ton of issues. If not, a huge hole is now glaring from center field.

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Currently, the safety room consists of Kitan Crawford, Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Joey Blount, and Baker. Dadrion Taylor-Demerson has played in 29 games, but most of his snaps are on special teams. Blount has been in 38 NFL games with zero starts but has 648 special teams snaps in his three years in Tempe. Crawford was a rookie last season, but played in 15 games with 80% special teams snaps and 14% on defense.

This means the backups are getting their feet wet and being developed. Does that correlate to replacing Thompson on the regular defense? Or should Arizona bring in a seasoned veteran during free agency?

Blankenship is not a reclamation project or a development talent. Just plug and play. In the 2024 playoffs that ended with a Super Bowl win, Blankenship was a defensive force, logging 27 tackles (18 solo), one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. 

S Reed Blankenship

Philadelphia Eagles

6’-1”, 203 pounds

Age: 26

PFF ranking: 46.5

NFL draft: 2022 undrafted

Accolades: First Team All-Conference USA (2021), Super Bowl Champion (2024)

40 time: 4.55

2025 season: 16 starts, 83 tackles, 0 QB hits, 0 sacks, 1 interception, 0 pressures, 0 hurries, 0 knockdowns, 1 tackle for loss, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 4 batted passes, 10 missed tackles, 1,008 defensive snaps (95%), 22 special teams snaps (5%)

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The Cardinals might opt to sign Blankenship to play opposite Budda Baker. Thompson will be missed if he isn’t re-signed, but there are options to replace him.

Blankenship has started the past three years with the Eagles with productive play. In 2023, he had 113 tackles. This past year, is coming off an unusually down season, mainly because the focus was placed more on the linebackers instead of relying on the safeties to bring ballcarriers down.

He is a hitter and is a willing tackler. He can deliver the big hit and has interceptions during his time with Philly. Great instincts and anticipation. Blankenship will transition well from coverage to closing on the runner. Plays fast with quick reactions.

Blankenship was with current Cardinals defensive coordinator Nick Rallis in Philly during his rookie season, and he’s a fit for Arizona’s foundational two-high coverages. Blankenship also gets the most out of his abilities and is still a young man.

He is very good in zone, but not good in man coverage. He does lack the timed speed to mirror and maintain contact with his receiver or tight end downfield. But he is a ballhawk and has quick reactions for interceptions.

He was paid $1.45 million last year.   

Projection: Three-years, $32.6 million

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