Indianapolis Colts Shouldn’t Trade This Safety

Even though the Indianapolis Colts view Julian Blackmon as a trade chip, they shouldn’t deal the fourth-year safety.

Julian Blackmon may be dealt to the Indianapolis Colts before to the impending trade deadline of October 31. The fourth-year safety is reportedly a prospective trade target for other clubs, according to ESPN’s Stephen Holder. Still, keeping Blackmon would be ideal for the Colts. He’s undoubtedly one of their top defensive players and a budding star.

Indianapolis Colts Should Not Trade Julian Blackmon

He Makes Sense as a Trade Chip

This season, Blackmon is off to a terrific start. The 2020 third-round selection already has two interceptions and 50 total tackles, which ties a career-high. In addition, he has a career-high four tackles for loss and three pass deflections.

Blackmon performed admirably in the Colts’ Week 7 game against the Cleveland Browns, despite the team’s defeat. Consistently finding a way to the ball, he contributed five tackles, two tackles for loss, two pass deflections, and an interception.

PFF presently ranks Blackmon as the No. 11 safety in the NFL. Many competitors hoping to strengthen their defensive secondary will be interested in obtaining him if he becomes available.

An excellent place to land is with the Detroit Lions. Security Cornerback Emmanuel Moseley is sidelined for the entire season due to an ACL tear, while C.J. Gardner-Johnson has a torn pectoral. The arrival of Blackmon might enable the Lions, who now share the NFC’s second-best record (5-2) with the San Francisco 49ers, to go deep into the postseason this season.

Given that Blackmon may become a free agent after this season, trading him does make some sense. The Colts would lose Blackmon for nothing, as they would probably get a selection in exchange. The chance to take his place would go to Nick Cross, the safety selected by Indianapolis in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Why the Colts Should Keep Blackmon

The Colts made the right choice in keeping Blackmon, a gifted defensive back. Given his young age of 25, he has plenty of years left to contribute to the team’s core. The Colts are in desperate need of assistance, particularly with regard to the secondary. Due to an Achilles injury, rookie sensation Julius Brents will likely miss more than a week of action following his injury sustained during the Browns game. Dallis Flowers is out for the whole season.

The Colts were devastated to learn that rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson would be sidelined for the whole season with a shoulder injury. The team should aim to make the playoffs with their current roster, even though they have the option to give up and trade veterans for future draft picks before the deadline.

The Colts, who are now 3-4, are third in the AFC South, behind the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars. They still have a good chance of making the postseason, even though they are by no means a Super Bowl candidate.

Gardner Minshew, who has replaced Richardson at quarterback for Indianapolis, is perhaps the best backup quarterback in the NFL. Important players like Jonathan Taylor, DeForest Buckner, Zaire Franklin, and Michael Pittman Jr. are also on the roster. If Blackmon and company are retained, the Colts have a chance to have an incredible 2023 season.