Most essential Colts, No. 8: Julian Blackmon is back for another massive responsibility
In a salary-cap league like the NFL, finding building blocks is essential. As teams churn and burn the roster through the draft and bargain signings in free agency, it helps to find the players who are either a cut above the rest or can perform a task few others can. They relieve the pressure on everyone.
Over the next few weeks, we'll be ranking the 15 most essential players to the Colts' success in 2024. It's a subjective process, weighing factors such as ability, positional value within a scheme, age, leadership and durability.
To make it simpler, we're asking the following two questions about these players:
1. How difficult would he be to replace for more than a month?
2. What does the Colts' 2024 ceiling become if this player hits his?
With the return of Anthony Richardson from shoulder surgery, the Colts’ outlook is on the future but also on the present after a 9-8 season fell a fourth-down conversion short of winning the AFC South. This list will primarily look at 2024 value, but certain players' development for the long-term can help to break ties along the way.
Here's the list so far:
9. Kenny Moore II, nickel cornerback
12. Laiatu Latu, defensive end
14. Zaire Franklin, linebacker
Today, we continue with No. 8, Julian Blackmon.
Position: Safety
Age: 25
Experience: 5th season
2023 stats: 88 tackles, 8 pass breakups, 4 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries in 15 games with 15 starts
Last year's rank: Did not make list
Why he's here: A year ago, Julian Blackmon was not on this list. He was facing plenty of pressure, having seen crushing injuries take something out of two of his first three seasons. He was in a new position at strong safety. He was in a contract year.
He wasn't proven then. Now, he somewhat is.
Last season went about as well for Blackmon on the field as could have been expected. He played a career-high 15 games and 986 snaps, and he fit like a glove at the position Rodney McLeod manned so well the year prior, the one reserved for big, veteran voices. Blackmon found those traits in himself and projected to one of the youngest secondaries in the NFL. And he produced, leading the Colts with 88 tackles, four interceptions and eight pass breakups.
He was sure the rewards were coming in free agency, but the safety market has crumbled, so much so that two Pro Bowlers were still on the market in June. He spent more time waiting than any other Colts free agent starter and ultimately returned on a one-year deal for just $3.7 million.
The Colts, and the NFL, want to see if Blackmon can do this again. He has just the one year of major production, and he has ended seasons with injuries in two of his four seasons, including last year, when he missed the final three games with a shoulder injury. He's a 202-pound player who flies at high speeds into tight ends, and he has to find a way to hold up.
If he can, he could build on his vocal leadership in his second season coordinating the back end of the defense. He forms a tremendous pairing with Kenny Moore II. Together, they can lift young but talented players like Nick Cross, JuJu Brents and Jaylon Jones and glue together an average secondary, which could be enough to let this pass rush become prolific.
(Moore and Blackmon basically have identical cases for this list. The only separator is that Blackmon's position is more valuable to Gus Bradley's scheme.)
If Blackmon has another significant injury, the Colts could be in trouble. Ronnie Harrison Sr. is currently the backup strong safety, but he's been more of a linebacker for a year now. With either Cross or Rodney Thomas II at the other safety spot, the back end of the Colts defense could become too vulnerable to face a schedule loaded with passers like CJ Stroud, Josh Allen, Jordan Love, Tua Tagovailoa, Trevor Lawrence and Aaron Rodgers. And the development of second-year outside cornerbacks JuJu Brents and Jaylon Jones could stunt along the way.
Blackmon is experienced, he's still just 25 and he's motivated in another contract year. The job is massive yet again.
Contact Nate Atkins at natkins@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @NateAtkins_.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Most essential Colts, No. 8: Julian Blackmon is back on a mission
