The Indianapolis Colts could deal with Julian Blackmon before the upcoming October 31 trade deadline. ESPN’s Stephen Holder recently named the fourth-year safety as a possible trade target for other teams. However, it would be in the Colts’ best interest to keep Blackmon. He’s a rising star and clearly one of their best defensive players.
Indianapolis Colts Should Not Trade Julian Blackmon
He Makes Sense as a Trade Chip
Blackmon is off to a great start this season. The 2020 third-round pick has already tied career-highs with 50 combined tackles and two interceptions. He also has three pass deflections and a career-best four tackles for loss.
Although the Colts lost, Blackmon was superb in the team’s Week 7 matchup with the Cleveland Browns. He contributed five tackles, two tackles for loss, two pass deflections, and an interception, consistently finding a way to the ball.
Blackmon is currently rated the NFL’s No. 11 safety according to PFF. If he becomes available, several contenders who are looking to boost their defensive secondary will show interest in acquiring him.
A team like the Detroit Lions is an ideal landing spot. Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson suffered a torn pectoral and cornerback Emmanuel Moseley is out for the year with a torn ACL. Blackmon’s addition could help the Lions, who are tied with the San Francisco 49ers for the second-best record (5-2) in the NFC, make a deep playoff run this year.
Trading Blackmon does make a little sense, knowing that he could leave as a free agent after this season. The Colts would likely receive a pick in return, meaning they would lose Blackmon for nothing. Nick Cross, the safety drafted by Indianapolis in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, would get the opportunity to step up and replace him.
Why the Colts Should Keep Blackmon
Keeping a talented defensive back like Blackmon is a wise decision for the Colts. He’s only 25 years old, which means he can be a part of the team’s core for years to come. The Colts need all the help they can get, especially regarding the secondary. Dallis Flowers is out for the season with an Achilles injury and rookie standout Julius Brents is expected to miss more than a week after getting hurt during the loss to the Browns.
The Colts received devastating news when they found out rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson will miss the remainder of the season due to a shoulder injury. While the team could give up and trade veterans for future draft picks before the deadline, they should keep their roster intact and try to make the playoffs.
The 3-4 Colts are currently third in the AFC South behind the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans. No, they’re not a Super Bowl contender by any stretch of the imagination, but they still have a decent shot at reaching the postseason.
Indianapolis possesses arguably the league’s best backup quarterback in Gardner Minshew, who has taken over for Richardson. Plus, the roster also has key pieces like Jonathan Taylor, DeForest Buckner, Zaire Franklin, and Michael Pittman Jr. By keeping Blackmon and Co., the Colts can end up having a sensational 2023 campaign.
Main Photo: Jenna Watson-USA TODAY Sports
