The Jacksonville Jaguars have made progress improving their roster during the offseason but still have room to strengthen certain areas, including safety. Despite adding Eric Murray and using draft picks at the position, the Jaguars may need further upgrades, leading some analysts like Maurice Moton of Bleacher Report to suggest signing veteran safety Julian Blackmon. This discussion comes as the team seeks to improve its defense, especially after allowing the most passing yards in 2024.
Moton highlights that Jacksonville’s defensive backfield could benefit from Blackmon’s versatility and ball skills, pointing out that the Jaguars ranked third-worst in interceptions last season, with only six. While Eric Murray was brought in to fill a starting safety role, his career total of three interceptions over nine seasons suggests he is not a playmaker. Darnelle Savage, with two interceptions across three years, also has yet to provide a major impact. In contrast, Blackmon recorded seven interceptions in the past two seasons and can play effectively at both safety positions.
Blackmon, drafted in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts, spent his entire career there before becoming a free agent last offseason. He re-signed with Indianapolis for one year but suffered a rotator cuff tear in the season opener, limiting him to just 15 tackles — one of the lowest totals in the league. Now, with the Colts favoring younger safeties Cam Byrnum and Nick Cross, Blackmon remains unsigned despite his potential when healthy. NFL Media’s Gregg Rosenthal has even described Blackmon as one of the best available remaining free agents.
Pros and Cons Surrounding Blackmon’s Potential Signing by the Jaguars
At this point in the offseason, Julian Blackmon might only secure a one-year contract, especially as teams facing injuries at safety would likely prioritize signing him quickly. The Jaguars, however, are relatively healthy and have several players competing for safety roles, making it less clear whether adding Blackmon is practical.
Eric Murray currently holds a near-certain starting role. While Murray is not known for generating turnovers, he is reliable at limiting big plays and rarely gets beaten deep. The competition for the other safety spot includes Darnelle Savage, Antonio Johnson, and Caleb Ransaw. Savage transitioned from nickel cornerback back to safety last year and has the most experience among the group, giving him an advantage in the depth chart.
Antonio Johnson, meanwhile, had a mixed sophomore season. After showing promise as a rookie, his inconsistency last year puts his role in question and demands a stronger performance going forward. Caleb Ransaw, a former cornerback at Tulane, is making the switch to safety with the Jaguars, representing a developmental project with potential long-term upside.
Given these internal options, the Jaguars may hesitate to sign Blackmon because doing so could limit playing time for younger safeties like Johnson and Ransaw. Developing homegrown talent may hold greater value over the coming seasons than bringing in a veteran who might serve only as a short-term fix.
Ultimately, Jacksonville appears content to evaluate its current safety group during training camp before pursuing external additions. That said, if the coaches find the existing players underperforming or injuries arise, Blackmon’s experience and ball-hawking ability could make him a suitable candidate to bolster the secondary.
What This Means for the Jaguars’ Defensive Strategy Moving Forward
The Jaguars’ commitment to upgrading their secondary through the draft and free agency shows an awareness of their defensive struggles, particularly in pass defense and playmaking at safety. Eric Murray brings steady, reliable play to one starting spot, while Savage, Johnson, and Ransaw represent a mix of potential and experience for the other safety position. Signing Blackmon could instantly improve the unit’s interception rates and versatility, but at the risk of hindering the development of younger safeties.
Choosing between the long-term potential of their current players and the immediate impact Blackmon may offer reflects a broader strategic decision. It suggests the Jaguars are aiming to balance rebuilding with competitiveness, mindful that safety is a critical position for defending against opposing quarterbacks.
If the Jaguars decide against signing Blackmon now, they will likely keep him in mind as a midseason acquisition should injuries expose weaknesses at safety. For Blackmon, landing on a new team that values his skill set will be essential to reestablishing his career after injury setbacks.