Reed Blankenship could be the next Eagles player groomed for an early extension, as Philadelphia has long prioritized front‑loading deals to retain core talent. Blankenship climbed from UDFA to captain and a vocal leader on a defense built around versatile backs lines and a coachable culture. With Dallas Goedert likely entering a contract year and Nakobe Dean returning from injury, Philly’s front office appears inclined to lock in cost‑effective talent before prices rise, keeping Hurts and the 2028 class behind them.

The piece emphasizes proactivity in roster decisions, not reaction. If Blankenship stays in the starting role, his fantasy upside as a ball‑hawking safety in Philly’s scheme improves, potentially lifting his IDP value. Extending him could help stabilize the back end, preserve cap flexibility, and influence how the defense evolves around a franchise quarterback who’s already secured long‑term commitments to talent like Brown and Mailata.