Matt Burke already witnessed what an elite secondary could look like last season when the Houston Texans finished top three in takeaways and interceptions, but just for good measure, the franchise wanted to add one more piece to the puzzle.
Paired alongside Pro Bowler Calen Bullock, former Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Reed Blankenship should be the long-term answer at strong safey after a constant carousel of players filled the void last fall. Signed to a three-year, $24.75 million contract, Blankenship is the type of player who can be a jack of all trades in any secondary.
It hasn’t taken the fourth-year defensive coordinator or any of Blankenship’s new teammates time to notice of promising of a player the newest member of the defense has become.
“He’s played a lot of ball, played a lot of big games.” Burke said last week after OTA practice. “Obviously somewhat different scheme but just like translating into how we play and stuff. I think it’s been really cool to watch him. You watch out here, it’s like he’s been here for four years with us the whole time. It didn’t take him long to really fit in the room.”
Blankenship, who was voted a team captain for the Eagles, played in 16 games last season, totaling 83 tackles, one interception and a forced fumble. Before that, he recorded seven interceptions between 2023-24, along with 18 pass deflections.
A former undrafted free agent from Middle Tennessee State, the 27-year-old was a key part of a championship defense in 2024 that finished first in passing yards allowed (174.2) and second in opponent points per game (17.8). Over the past three years, Blankenship has started at least 16 games while posting a coverage grade of at least 73.0, per Pro Football Focus.
In Houston, Blankenship should be the last piece to set the Texans’ defense over the top as potentially the No. 1 unit in the league. The Texans, with a rotating cast of safety options opposite Bullock, ranked top-10 in every pass coverage category, including No. 1 in total yards allowed (277.2) and No. 2 in scoring (17.7).
The Texans return to practice on Tuesday for the start of mandatory minicamp.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans DC Matt Burke gives praise for new safety Reed Blankenship finding his footing
Reporting by Cole Thompson, Texans Wire / Texans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Cole Thompson, Texans Wire | USA TODAY Network
