Reed Blankenship is currently ranked 85th out of 88 safeties by Pro Football Focus. The analytics see a player in a steep decline. But sometimes, the most important value isn't found on a stat sheet. It's the quiet part... the part you don't see is what truly holds a defense together.
Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said that part out loud. When asked to assess his safety's play, Fangio cut through the external noise. "It's been good,” Fangio stated. “He's been kind of a rock back there. He's got a rookie safety [Andrew Mukuba] next to him.