How Former Utah S Julian Blackmon Will Fit In With Indianapolis Colts
May 3, 2020, 5:19 PM
Washington Huskies tight end Cade Otton (87) can't complete a pass under pressure from Utah Utes defensive back Julian Blackmon (23) during the Pac-12 Championship Game on November 30, 2018 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Cody Glenn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Photo by Cody Glenn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah safety Julian Blackmon will have an opportunity to contribute to the Indianapolis Colts defense during the 2020 season.
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The Colts selected Blackmon in the third round with the 85th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Blackmon is hopeful to participate in training camp in July but is still currently rehabbing from a torn ACL that he suffered against Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship game.
ESPN.com has Blackmon listed as the backup free safety to Malik Hooker.
Other Safeties On Roster
The two players that are projected to start at free and strong safety for the Colts are Malik Hooker and Khari Willis.
Hooker is entering the final year of his contract. Blackmon could be his replacement if Indianapolis does not resign Hooker after the 2020 season. George Odum is the third string free safety according to ESPN.com sitting behind Blackmon.
Willis has three years remaining on his current contract. The strong safety position seems to be locked up for the next few seasons. Rolan Milligan and Donald Rutledge Jr. are the two backups at strong safety.
Blackmon was the only safety that the Colts selected in the 2020 NFL Draft. He will wear No. 32 with Indianapolis.
The Colts did not resign safety Clayton Geathers and allowed him to hit the free agency market.
I could reeeally get used to the Blue look😱 pic.twitter.com/JySorDKCQY
— Jülian Blackmon (@JumpManJu32) April 29, 2020
Contract Details
Blackmon has not signed a contract with the Colts yet. That will happen in the coming weeks. According to Spotrac.com, Blackmon is projected to make $4,386,467 over the course of his rookie contract. His signing bonus is projected to be worth $926,437 and using an estimated $841,609 of the Colts’ cap.
The former Ute can negotiate certain portions of his contract but some of it is set in stone because of the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement.
Welcome to Indy, @JumpManJuice23! #ColtsDraft pic.twitter.com/w6YSTiIjcy
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) April 25, 2020
Prediction
I believe when Blackmon is completely healthy, he will be a contributor to the Colts defense as a backup. His time to shine will come in the 2021 season as he will be the starting free safety in Indianapolis.
The Layton, Utah native’s ability to play in different schemes and different positions in the secondary from cornerback to safety and either in press coverage or scaling back in coverage along with his ability to use his athleticism to make plays will make him a valuable member of the Colts for years to come.
Trevor Allen is a Utah Utes Insider for KSLSports.com and host of the Crimson Corner podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @TrevorASports. You can download and listen to the podcast, here.
