Eagles positional grades ahead of their Week 4 home matchup versus the Commanders
Let's talk about the second level and safeties and discuss the special teams unit.
Many have viewed the safeties and linebackers as an area of weakness. We may want to rethink that theory.
8. Safeties, A
A new star is emerging in Philly. Reed Blankenship has been fantastic as a starting safety. In two games, 'Milk Check' as his teammates affectionately call him, has recorded 19 tackles, a tackle for loss, three pass deflections, and an interception.
Guys are forcing turnovers/touchbacks (Terrell Edmunds). They're breaking up passes in the end zone versus future Hall of Famers (Sydney Brown). They're even making highlight-reel plays.
This unit might be better than we anticipated. Eagles fans should be excited.
9. Linebackers, B-
Well, Nakobe Dean is injured, but Nicholas Morrow and Zach Cunningham have been solid in his absence. Keep in mind that Morrow was cut after the preseason.
In two games, he had five tackles and two tackles for losses. The linebacker group needed to step up. They have done exactly that. On Monday night, it was Morrow who shot a gap at the goal line to force a safety and add two points on the scoreboard for the Birds.
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away"
- Maya Angelou
To say Britain Covey has turned heads this season would be an understatement. As we know, he was promoted from the practice squad to the 53-man roster recently, and he responded with his best return to date in prime time.
10. Special teams, A-
Covey is having a great year so far in the return game. In Week 1, he posted 30 return yards. Versus the Buccaneers, he enjoyed a mini-breakout party.
Who are we kidding though? Jake Elliott alone is reason enough to give the special teams unit an A+, but as a whole, this phase of the game has improved drastically for the Eagles.