Indianapolis Colts: Julian Blackmon should be in the DROY conversation
By Daniel Davis
Indianapolis Colts rookie safety Julian Blackmon has played at an elite level since he’s taken over for injured Malik Hooker.
In just a few short years, the Colts’ strength has gone from their high scoring offense to a defense that swarms to the ball and makes plays.
Last year, Chris Ballard focused on defensive speed, and this year he focused on playmaking ability. Right on time, the defense has led the way in 2020, with the offense starting to come into its own in recent weeks.
And the catalyst has been rather unexpected: Julian Blackmon, your Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Julian Blackmon for DROY. pic.twitter.com/CBQmYaEJTs
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) November 23, 2020
As a former safety in high school, the position is my favorite to watch. My favorite players growing up were John Lynch, Ed Reed, Troy Polamalu, and Bob Sanders. Recently, my favorite safeties have been Johnathan Abram of the Las Vegas Raiders and Justin Simmons on the Denver Broncos. On Sunday, Julian Blackmon changed my mind.
Blackmon continues to make plays and put himself in the position to win those battles at the point of attack. Young safeties, myself included, struggle with being overly aggressive and tending to over-pursue to try and make a play rather than playing with restraint. Reining in the quick decision-making is the hardest part about coaching young defensive backs.
However, Blackmon is different. The young kid has a knack for the ball and knowing where the quarterback is going with it.
#Colts Julian Blackmon’s three forced turnovers this season have all occurred in the fourth quarter/overtime.
— Locked On Colts Podcast (@LockedOnColts) November 23, 2020
Rookie has ice in his veins with the game on the line. pic.twitter.com/KicRKlEPkD
On the season, the rookie has forced three turnovers in the final five minutes of the game or overtime that have led to Colts victories, including the overtime forced fumble on Sunday to set up the Colts offense to win the game.
With two interceptions on the season and two forced fumbles, he’s playing like a veteran player and will only get better as the season comes to a close.
Even more impressive? Compared to other players with at least 300 snaps, he ranks third in opposing NFL passer rating (when targeting him) with a 27.7 mark. On 311 coverage snaps, he’s allowed four receptions on nine targets for 61 yards, with only 21 yards after the catch for a combined 0.2 yards per snap.
Compare those numbers to Minkah Fitzpatrick, who’s largely considered the best young safety in the league right now with five catches on 10 receptions, along with 90 yards and 16 yards after the catch. Fitzpatrick also has a 41.7 opposing passer rating with four interceptions on the year.
Blackmon also has one of the highest snaps per reception and snaps per target ratio in the NFL, if all of this weren’t impressive enough. Compared to players with 300 or more snaps, he’s third only behind Minkah Fitzpatrick and Bobby McCain. On snaps per reception, he has 77 and ranks third behind the same two players.
Blackmon is an invaluable player in a rookie class where everyone is producing, and he deserves to be talked about when discussing Defensive Rookie of the Year. His play has been invaluable and has led to four wins for the Colts in 2020 alone. Blackmon is a playmaker, and the NFL world needs to be talking more about him.
