INDIANAPOLIS – A trade back to get the pick total up to 7 again capped Friday night for the Colts.
With the 85th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Colts took Utah defensive back Julian Blackmon in Round Three.
Here are 3 takeaways on Blackmon:
1. Versatile Defensive Back
The first defensive pick of the 2020 NFL Draft for the Colts had them going with a versatile DB, who is coming off a torn ACL. At 5-11 and 197 pounds, Julian Blackmon doesn’t possess great size, but he was extremely productive in playing both cornerback and safety for one of the nation’s best defenses. Blackmon was a corner for his first two years at Utah, before becoming an All-American safety in 2019. He found the ball a good amount in college, recording 9 interceptions and 29 passes defensed in his career. Clearly, the smaller frame of Blackmon, nor the ACL concern (from December 2019), kept the Colts from believing he was worthy of a Day 2 pick. With Clayton Geathers gone, and the Colts not set in stone at the back end of their cornerback group, a player with Blackmon’s position history makes sense.
2. Getting A Pick Back
When OT-Josh Jones (Houston) went No. 72 overall, that very well could have led to the Colts trading back. In the Colts giving up No. 75 overall and No. 197, the Lions sent No. 85, No. 149 and No. 182 to Indy. So, the Colts once again have 7 total picks in this draft (adding one in this trade, after losing a 5th rounder in moving up for Jonathan Taylor). It is interesting to note that this trade down gave the Colts 3 picks in return, but none of them resides in the 2021 Draft. The thought entering Friday night was a trade back could very well lead to an extra pick next year, with the Colts not having anything extra for their 2021 haul, and are unlikely to get a compensatory pick. A breakdown of the Colts 2020 picks (for now): Round 2-34: WR-Michael Pittman (USC), Round 2-41: RB-Jonathan Taylor (Wisconsin), Round 3-85: DB-Julian Blackmon (Utah), Round 4-122, Round 5-149, Round 6-182, Round 6-193.
3. Was Safety Needed?
Well, is this someone who could challenge to take Malik Hooker’s starting job one day? That seems unlikely in 2020. But I’ll be curious to see how if this pick impacts the Colts’ decision on picking up Malik Hooker’s 5th year option for the 2021 season. That decision is due by May 4th. Talking the pick specifically though, the Colts only had 4 safeties on their roster leading into the draft, so another body was probably needed, especially with the combinations of sub packages that present-day defenses try to play. Leading into the draft, I was a fan of the Colts taking a versatile defensive back, who could play both safety and corner. Blackmon appears to be that guy.
-What are the Colts getting in second-round pick WR-Michael Pittman (USC)?
-What are the Colts getting in second-round pick RB-Jonathan Taylor?
-How does Utah S/CB-Julian Blackmon fit into the Colts secondary?
-What did the Colts see in QB-Jacob Eason (Washington) to draft him in Round 4?
-Is 5th round pick OL-Danny Pinter the Colts next versatile backup offensive linemen?
