Colts: Is it possible Julian Blackmon ends up being best value pick of 2020 NFL Draft?

Colts rookie safety Julian Blackmon is already emerging as a top player for Indy.

Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard has struck gold numerous times in the NFL Draft since he took the job back in 2017. In terms of his most notable picks, you have offensive lineman Quenton Nelson and linebacker Darius Leonard, both of whom were named to multiple All-Pro teams and are already two of the best players at their respective positions.

While the rest of Ballard’s bunch aren’t quite on that level, it would be delusional not to credit him for the selections of running back Marlon Mack, guard Braden Smith, linebacker Anthony Walker, and cornerback Rock Ya-Sin, all of whom figure to be key components of Indianapolis’ promising future. The list obviously extends beyond those players, but we’ll spare you a deeper dive into history for the sake of time and get to the point.

The Colts’ 2020 Draft class served as yet another gold mine for Ballard. How so? The two offensive studs he nabbed in the second round — wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and RB Jonathan Taylor — might not end up being his best find.

At this rate, rookie safety Julian Blackmon, who’s been nothing short of phenomenal at the start of his pro career, could end up assuming that title. In fact, it wouldn’t be surprising if the 2020 third-round pick ends up being the steal of the draft when all is said and done.

Blackmon has come up clutch for Indianapolis several times in 2020 despite playing in just five (four starts) of their six games. His most notable contribution came in the waning moments of Sunday’s showdown vs the Bengals, when he jumped a post route and came down with what proved to be the game-clinching interception.

We hate to think what Joe Burrow and Cincy’s offense would have done if Blackmon didn’t swoop in and make that play as they were putting together an impressive drive with hardly any resistance and clearly had the Colts D up against the ropes.

Despite sitting out Week 1 and playing less than 65% of the defensive snaps in his first two games, Blackmon is currently Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded rookie safety through the first six weeks of the campaign.

What’s more impressive than that? Blackmon, per PFF, is the ninth-highest-graded safety in the NFL with a 74.1 marking. He’s also tied for first among safeties with two interceptions and fourth among all defensive backs with six passes defended.

After concerns about giving him a sizable workload so soon after completing his ACL rehab, the budding star has proven that he has no restrictions by playing a whopping 96% of the offensive snaps over the last three weeks, including 100% in Sunday’s win over the Bengals.

Assuming that Blackmon continues on this trajectory, it won’t be long before he garners national recognition as not only the biggest steal of the 2020 Draft, but the best overall pick (based on value) of the virtually exclusive showcase.

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