Julian Blackmon is once again available as a free agent after spending five seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. Despite testing the market last offseason with hopes of securing a larger contract, Blackmon ended up re-signing with the Colts on a one-year deal. However, for the 2025 season, the Colts appear ready to move forward without him, opening the door for other NFL teams to pursue this versatile safety.
Team Changes Lead Colts to Move On from Blackmon
Indianapolis recently signed Camryn Bynum from the Minnesota Vikings to play free safety, while returning Nick Cross at strong safety. Blackmon’s playing style alongside Cross never quite meshed, as both players excel as physical run defenders best suited for roles near the line of scrimmage. This strategic shift likely influenced the Colts’ decision to allow Blackmon to explore opportunities elsewhere.
Blackmon’s On-Field Performance and Injury Concerns
Over his five years in the league, Blackmon has steadily progressed, showcasing his ability to contribute both in coverage and run support. His most productive seasons came in 2023 and 2024, where he combined for 174 tackles, 12 passes defended, and seven interceptions, often performing in the free safety spot despite that being an unconventional role for him. Pro Football Focus (PFF) gave him respectable grades of 70.9 and 69.3 in those years, reflecting his reliability on defense.
Nevertheless, Blackmon’s extensive injury history may be causing teams to hesitate in signing him. This likely contributed to the Colts opting to rely on younger safeties rather than retain him for 2025. Still, at 26 years old, he remains a plug-and-play starter capable of filling immediate needs across the league.
Blackmon’s Football Background and Contract History
Blackmon began his football journey as a three-year starter at the University of Utah, earning second-team All-American honors in 2019. Selected 85th overall in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Colts, he inked a four-year rookie contract worth $4.6 million, which included a signing bonus of $926,437. After completing that contract, he re-signed with Indianapolis on a one-year deal for the 2024 season. In that year, Blackmon played 16 games, chalking up 86 tackles, three interceptions, and four passes defended.
Carolina Panthers Show Strong Interest in Blackmon
Among potential suitors, the Carolina Panthers have been closely linked to Blackmon, even inviting him for a team visit during free agency. Carolina recently signed Tre’Von Moehrig from the Las Vegas Raiders to anchor one safety position and retains Nick Scott on the opposite side. However, Scott struggled significantly last season, earning a low PFF grade of 52.6 and posting the second-worst run defense rating among NFL safeties.
Pairing Moehrig, a deep-field specialist, with Blackmon’s strength close to the line of scrimmage would create a complementary safety tandem far superior to the current pairing, potentially bolstering Carolina’s secondary defenders in a meaningful way.
Miami Dolphins’ Safety Depth Remains a Major Concern
The Miami Dolphins face a particularly precarious situation in their safety unit after losing Pro Bowl-caliber Jevon Holland and seeing Jordan Poyer remain unsigned and unlikely to return. Miami’s recent additions include Ashtyn Davis and Ifeatu Melifonwu, both low-profile free agents with limited playing time in the prior season, adding uncertainty rather than guaranteed improvement. Elijah Campbell also serves as a lesser-known depth option.
Adding Blackmon to Miami’s secondary would provide the team with an experienced starter comfortable at both free and strong safety, offering stability and leadership. This would reduce the dependence on the relatively unproven Davis and Melifonwu, giving the Dolphins a much-needed veteran presence.
New York Jets Could Gain Valuable Depth with Blackmon
Safety depth has been a recurring challenge for the New York Jets, and projections for 2025 do not appear to improve the situation. While Tony Adams is expected to maintain a starting role, Andre Cisco, a former third-round pick from Jacksonville, showed inconsistent performance last season with a PFF grade of 58.8, ranking 70th among safeties.
Behind them stands rookie Malachi Moore, who, despite his experience at Alabama, may face a steep learning curve at the professional level. Blackmon’s ability to cover both the free and strong safety positions, combined with his physical style and experience playing deeper in the field, makes him an attractive option to strengthen the Jets’ backfield both as a starter and to improve overall defensive reliability.
Other Potential Destinations for Blackmon in 2025
While the Indianapolis Colts, Carolina Panthers, Miami Dolphins, and New York Jets appear to be the leading candidates, other teams such as the Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams could emerge as dark horse options for Blackmon’s services. These teams may benefit from his versatile skill set and veteran experience if they seek to bolster their safety groups through free agency.
Outlook for Julian Blackmon’s Free Agency in 2025
Julian Blackmon’s status as a competent, versatile safety with starting experience makes him one of the more appealing free agents available for the 2025 NFL season. Despite injury concerns, his ability to contribute in multiple defensive roles will attract teams facing uncertainty in their secondary. As the offseason progresses, Blackmon’s fit with franchises like the Panthers, Dolphins, and Jets will continue to draw attention, and his signing could greatly improve the defensive outlook for whichever team secures him.