The Colts have been busy with respect to retaining their own this offseason. Efforts on that front included re-signing safety Julian Blackmon well into free agency on a one-year deal. 
Blackmon was connected to a few outside suitors, but despite that interest the 25-year-old’s contract checked in at a base value of $3.2MM. The deal can reach up to $7.7MM, but its short-term nature illustrates the nature of the safety market around the league. The build-up to free agency saw several veteran producers at the position released in cost-shedding moves, something which no doubt limited the former second-rounder’s earning power with the Colts.
“I think it was something similar to how it was for the running backs a year ago,” Blackmon said of the financial landscape at the safety position when reflecting on his Indianapolis agreement (via ESPN’s Stephen Holder). “It just kind of shows you that you got to always be prepared for anything.”
Blackmon had a career year in 2023 (four interceptions, two fumble recoveries, 88 tackles) and a repeat of his performance will help his value on a new deal. He is assured of a starting spot on the backend of the Colts’ defense in 2024; likewise, fellow re-signee Kenny Moore is a lock at the slot corner position moving forward. Aside from those two, however, Joel A. Erickson of the Indy Star notes competition is open for first-team spots.
Julius Brents, Jaylon Jones and Dallis Flowers will spend the offseason competing for playing time at the perimeter corner positions. At free safety, Rodney Thomas, Nick Cross and Daniel Scott are the top in-house options. The lack of established starters in the secondary led many to believe cornerback and/or safety would a position of emphasis during the draft. However, Indianapolis waited until well into Day 3 to add rookies to the mix (safeties Jaylon Carlies and Jaylin Simpson in the fifth round, along with corner Micah Abraham in the sixth).
With plenty of uncertainty on the depth chart for now, Holder writes the Colts could be in the market for a veteran free agent capable of supplying reinforcements in the secondary. Indianapolis fared better against the pass than the run last season, but the team’s defense ranked 28th in points allowed. Adding on the backend could help the unit take a step forward and in turn improve the team’s chances of making the postseason in 2024.